Andrew Van Hamburg on assault charge at Tweed court
A Tweed Heads plumber has faced court for pushing his partner into a glass door after realising she had put anchovies on his pizza. See why the court decided the matter was far from trivial.
Police & Courts
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A Tweed Heads plumber has faced court for pushing his partner into a glass door after realising she had put anchovies on his pizza.
Andrew Van Hamburg, 42, appeared before Tweed Heads Local Court on November 7, accused of common assault.
Court documents state Van Hamburg’s now ex-partner was making dinner for the two at their home when he noticed she had put anchovies on the pizza and began abusing her.
Things started unravelling from there for Van Hamburg who, according to police facts, had drunk 10 beers while his partner had consumed six drinks.
Van Hamburg’s partner told him he had three weeks to move out, insinuating she was done with the relationship.
Court documents state Van Hamburg stood up from where he was seated and pushed the victim into a glass door, causing her to fall.
The woman left the home and contacted police.
Court documents revealed that when asked to give his version of events, Van Hamburg didn’t think it was necessary for police to be involved.
Van Hamburg’s defence lawyer said his client came before the court with prior matters of domestic violence and had consumed a significant amount of alcohol.
The lawyer said Van Hamburg regretted his actions: “He should have removed himself from the situation and chose an alternative path”.
Magistrate Geoff Dunlevy said he had to decide the appropriate actions to take for Van Hamburg’s breach of an existing conditional release order, recorded without a conviction, at the time of the pizza incident.
“I must revoke this order,” Mr Dunlevy said.
“When the court hands down a conditional release order without conviction it allows the offender to join the law-abiding community.
“We’re at the point now if you’re brought back to court, you might receive a custodial sentence.”
Mr Dunlevy convicted Van Hamburg and sentenced him to an 18-month community corrections order to be supervised by community corrections.
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