Benjamin Garbett in Tweed court for breaching AVO against ex-partner

A young unemployed Banora Point man made a series of phone calls to his former partner. See why that has landed him in court.

Tweed Heads Courthouse, 2022. Picture: David Bonaddio

A young unemployed man with a track record of breaching apprehended violence orders has come unstuck after trying to contact a former partner.

Benjamin Garbett, of Banora Point, pleaded guilty on Friday (November 11) at Tweed Heads Local Courthouse to breaching an AVO against his ex-partner.

The court heard the 28-year-old man was on the phone with his ex-partner’s relatives, who were in the company of the woman, when he asked one of the relatives to pass the phone to her at about 7.30am on November 3.

The woman “made it known she did not wish to speak with him and threatened to contact the police if he continued to try to talk directly with her”, court documents state.

Garbett pushed on, police state, asking the woman about her personal life.

“What have you been doing? Who are you with?” Garbett said.

The woman ended the call but quickly received more calls from Garbett from his mobile, which she then blocked.

It’s alleged Garbett made a further 10 calls to the woman’s phone shortly after - this time from a private number - and left a voice message.

Police state Garbett said: “I can’t believe you’re doing this to me”.

The woman reported Garbett’s behaviour to police the following day.

Garbett was aware he was wanted by police and attended Tweed Heads station on November 10 and was refused bail.

Police state Garbett has a history of violence, drugs and breaching AVOs.

“The last breach of an AVO, he was given 12 months in jail,” police state.

“The accused is unemployed and receives benefits from Centrelink but is unaware of how much and he lives with his mother.”

The matter has been adjourned to December 2.