Merekee Beaton convicted in Byron Bay local court of assault

A Lillian Rock dad has fronted court after he pushed his partner over a rocking horse. Here is what happened.

A dad assaulted his partner in a shocking rage that had been “brewing for some time”, a Byron Bay court has heard.

Lillian Rock man Merekee Beaton, 39, was convicted in Byron Bay Local Court on Monday having pleaded guilty to domestic related assault.

The court heard that Beaton was in a “loving relationship” yet the nature of the couple’s argument had escalated into a violent scuffle which left his partner on the floor of their home on December 13, last year.

Beaton threw a towel into her face before pushing her into a rocking horse, Magistrate Karen Stafford told the court.

She said the woman then tripped over and fell onto the floor.

“I have heard there was a lead up to the assault but your wife doesn’t deserve to be assaulted,” Ms Stafford said.

Defence solicitor Kylie Anderson-Clarke said Beaton had sought out professional help.

“This is completely out of character for him,” she said.

“He has never been in trouble and he is seeing a psychologist and other professionals.”

Beaton pleaded guilty to the offence on December 21, last year.

She said Beaton was remorseful and immediately pleaded guilty to the charge.

Ms Stafford said that of the thousands of assaults that came before the courts, most were domestic related.

“Court does see common assault charges where people are pushed ... those sort of pushes are of a very low level category. I don’t think you’re in that category,” Ms Stafford said.

She said she accepted what Ms Anderson-Clarke put forward but said a partner did not deserve to be assaulted.

Beaton was sentenced to a 12-month community correction order.