Grafton man Kaylum Jay Roberts pleads guilty to domestic violence offences in Lismore District Court
A Clarence man with a history of DV broke into his partner’s home with a group, bashed her and screamed he would “kick the unborn baby out” of the woman, a court has heard.
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A Clarence Valley domestic violence offender broke into his partner’s home with a group, bashed her and screamed he would “kick the unborn baby out” of the woman, a court heard.
Kaylum Jay Roberts from South Grafton was angry his partner’s ex had shown up out of the blue, Lismore District Court was told.
The 22-year-old man faced Judge Jonathan Priestley at Lismore District Court over videolink from Clarence Correctional Centre after being arrested in June.
Roberts was on bail and a conditional release order when he and three others invaded the woman’s home.
He was captured on CCTV and footage was aired in the court on November 3.
“I think you’d agree that offending on the video is outrageous,” Judge Priestley told Roberts.
Roberts pleaded guilty to aggravated break and enter, committing a serious indictable offence in company (assault occasioning actual bodily harm), using an offensive weapon in company with intent to commit a serious indictable offence, and destroying and damaging property valued at more than $5000 in company.
The court heard on one occasion Roberts returned home drunk and high on cannabis before he attacked his partner, her father and threatened to kill them both.
The Crown told the court Roberts had made no efforts to rehabilitate and repeatedly breached court orders
“While he’s been on bail for this matter he has committed three sets of offences, including further offences of violence against his partner,” a prosecutor said.
“The most recent domestic violence offending is where he physically assaults his partner with her father and threatens to kill them in breach of the AVO (apprehended violence order).
“He failed to engage with community corrections, failed to report while on bail that culminated in further offending absconding warrants.”
The prosecution called for a jail-term.
However, Defence lawyer Carl Edwards said Roberts could change his ways and his client just needed “some encouragement and assistance”.
Roberts experienced a troubled upbringing and at one stage he ran away, slept under a bridge and began taking drugs because he was “lonely”.
“I had it all. But I just didn’t have friends or any of that,” Roberts told the court.
Roberts worked in construction, but fell into a pattern of destructive behaviour.
Asked why he has done nothing to better his circumstances while on remand, Roberts shrugged.
“I can’t say why I didn’t. Obviously it’s a bad situation and obviously its really hit me hard now,” he said.
Mr Edwards suggested the Balund-a diversionary program “would be a really good prospect to encourage” Roberts.
Judge Priestley said Roberts previous work in construction with a retired firefighter in Kempsey made him think Roberts could rehabilitate.
“At times you have a loving relationship with your partner, but you also commit offences against her – which is unacceptable,” he said.
The court heard Roberts had to “learn how to behave properly” before he could properly help raise children.
Roberts will remain behind bars while a sentencing report is completed to determine suitability for the Balund-a Program.
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