Nicholas John Ryan: Grafton man sentenced for domestic violence offences

A northern NSW father was warned he was an inch away from receiving a full time jail sentence after he confessed to a fresh set of domestic violence related offences.

Nicholas John Ryan was sentenced at Grafton Local Court.

A young Grafton dad was told “the future is in your hands” and warned he was sailing close to jail time after owning up to a fresh set of domestic violence related offences.

Nicholas John Ryan, 29, fronted Grafton Local Court on Monday when he pleaded guilty to common assault and three counts of contravening an apprehended domestic violence order (ADVO).

The court heard the South Grafton man was on a community correction order (CCO) for damaging property, intimidation and contravening an ADVO at the time of the latest offending.

According to court documents, Ryan’s ADVO conditions stipulated that he was not to be in the company of his former partner for at least 12 hours after drinking alcohol, and he was forbidden from visiting his mother’s residence and workplace.

On March 24, Ryan and his ex each purchased two bottles of wine, which they drank, and visited Ryan’s mother’s home, a court heard.

Nicholas Ryan outside Grafton Local Court.

Ryan and his then girlfriend had an argument, and his mother, hearing the commotion, entered the room.

“(Ryan then) grabbed (his former partner) on her shoulder and neck using one hand and pulled her back,” police facts state.

“(The mother) jumped in between the two which caused (Ryan) to let go … (and his former partner) fled from the house and ran to a neighbouring property to contact the police.”

When officers arrived they noticed “a red mark on her neck”, a court heard.

Police then went to Ryan’s mother’s home, finding a bong, which she believed her son had used that night to smoke both cannabis and meth.

Ryan was arrested and interviewed at Grafton police station.

“(Ryan) told police that he grabbed (her) by the shoulders in a loving way and to stop her from leaving as he believed she was too intoxicated to look after herself,” police facts state.

Nicholas Ryan.

In court, defence lawyer Gregory Coombes said his client’s action was not as serious as an act of striking someone.

Mr Coombes said Ryan intended to address his mental health conditions and drug and alcohol issues.

Magistrate Juliana Crofts said the sentencing assessment report prepared for Ryan served him no favours.

Reading from the report, Ms Crofts said “(Ryan) takes no responsibility for his actions”, uses violence to solve interpersonal issues and showed a lack of insight into the role drug use played in his offending.

She told the court Ryan was already on a CCO at the time of the offending and there were threats to kill involved in his previous offences.

“I’m highly concerned about what you might do and what might happen to (the victims),” Ms Crofts said.

Ryan was sentenced to a 15-month intensive correction order.

He breathed a sigh of relief and held his head in his hands when he learned he would not be serving the sentence in jail.

“I cannot be clearer that you are serving a sentence of custody in the community and the future is in your hands,” Ms Crofts said.