Lismore man Andrew Bolt, 32, sentenced for DV aggravated break and enter, common assault and intimidation

A Lismore man kicked his ex’s door in and repeatedly punched her in the face, threatening to kill her. A court heard he “doesn’t get what he wants, so he strikes out violently”.

Andrew Bolt, 32, was sentenced in Lismore District Court on Wednesday. Picture: Contributed

A Lismore man kicked his ex-partner’s door down and repeatedly punched her in the face, threatening to kill the woman if she saw anyone else.

Andrew Bolt, 32, was sentenced at Lismore District Court on Wednesday.

Bolt told the court he was working to overcome a meth addiction while locked up at Clarence Correctional Facility, which was described in court as rife with illicit drugs.

Bolt pleaded guilty to aggravated breaking and entering, common assault and intimidation.

The father-of-five – who is serving a separate jail-term for a New Year’s Eve break and enter and credit card fraud – went to the victim’s house on January 26 last year to pick up his possessions after a break-up, the court heard.

Bolt punched the victim in the head four times. File image. Picture: iStock

The woman did not allow Bolt to enter, enraging him.

Bolt kicked down the door, charged into the home and attacked the woman, punching her in the head four times, Judge Jonathan Priestley told the court.

Judge Priestley said the offending was characteristic of a man “unable to control himself”.

“(He) doesn’t get what he wants, so he strikes out violently,” he said.

“Domestic violence is all too common in this community.”

Five months after the assault, Bolt threatened to kill the woman. File image. Picture: iStock

Five months later, the victim woke to see Bolt outside her door at 4am one morning.

She took pity on Bolt because he was homeless at the time and allowed him into her home.

About 11.30am, the woman told Bolt he had to go.

Bolt again flared up and declared: “If you see anyone else I’m going to kill you.”

Bolt later took responsibility for bashing the victim and “knew that was no way to treat a woman”.

Judge Priestley told the court Bolt threatened his ex with a “water pipe”, a piece of drug paraphernalia, waving it threateningly at her.

The victim grabbed a pair of scissors to defend herself and fled to a neighbour’s home to phone police for help.

Bolt was arrested and taken into custody on June 18 last year.

Bolt has been in and out of prison.

Defence barrister Sophie Anderson said Bolt’s life involved a “revolving door” in and out of prison and he had already served 16 months in custody for prior offending.

The court heard Bolt had a history of drug abuse, but he spoke in court about rehabilitation.

“I’m over this life, I’m over jail,” he said.

“I’m ready for change and ready to break the cycle”

Bolt told the court he had found God in prison, which had been a catalyst for positive change.

The court was told Bolt has been working to beat a methamphetamine addiction.

The court heard drugs were rife at the prison, but Bolt had abstained from drugs and had become a leader to younger inmates as a peer support worker.

Bolt told the court he planned a “new life and fresh start” in Newcastle on his release.

Judge Priestley said Bolt appeared to be a man “beaten down by the system” and at risk of being institutionalised.

He said he found Bolt accepted responsibility for his behaviour and was remorseful.

Judge Priestley convicted Bolt and sentenced him to 18-months jail with an eight-month non-parole period The sentence was backdated to March 2023.

Bolt is due to be released on parole on November 18.