Jake Batterson: Grafton removalist charged with domestic assault

A removalist from the state’s north who savagely assaulted a young new mother during a fight over a pair of shoes has been castigated by a magistrate in court.

Grafton man Jake Batterson, 21, was charged with assault causing actual bodily harm after a horrific incident at his former partner's Clarence Valley home.

A north coast furniture removalist grabbed his partner by the throat and dragged her across the floor by her hair in a savage domestic attack described by a magistrate as “extremely alarming”.

Police charged Jake Batterson, 21, with assault causing actual bodily harm after a horrific incident at his former partner’s Clarence Valley home which left her hospitalised due to her injuries.

At Grafton Local Court, Magistrate Kathy Crittenden said Batterson and the young woman - a new mother - had an argument over shoes which descended rapidly into violence on September 11 this year.

“You stood over her, she pushed you, you threw her to the floor,” Ms Crittenden said.

“You grabbed her around the throat, she struggled to free herself and you grabbed her hair and dragged her about 5m across the floor.”

The court heard the woman pleaded with Batterson to let her go before he kicked her in the back as she lay on the floor.

“There was an argument in respect of shoes, of all things, and it got out of hand,” Ms Crittenden said.

The woman was ultimately taken to hospital due to her injuries.

“That is extremely alarming conduct, that she was subjected in her own home to that sort of violence,” Ms Crittenden told Batterson.

“The harm done needs to be clearly denounced, including the harm that extends long after any injuries suffered.”

Batterson pleaded guilty to the sole charge and Ms Crittenden sentenced him to a 12-month community corrections order during which he will be required to undertake domestic violence education.

“Domestic violence isn’t tolerated in the community,” Ms Crittenden told Batterson, who represented himself in court.

“Everyone is entitled to feel safe and secure in their own home - you were emotionally distressed at the time but there is always another way.”

Batterson - who works as a furniture removalist - had never before come to the attention of police and had no criminal record prior to the grave incident.