Dylan Rodney Achilles pleads guilty to assault occasioning actual bodily harm

A man was warned if he came before the court again for domestic violence he’d likely spend time in prison.

Dylan Rodney Achilles has pleaded guilty to assault occasioning bodily harm.

A Banora Point baker with a history of domestic violence offending has narrowly avoided being sent to prison.

Dylan Rodney Achilles, 24, fronted Tweed Heads Local Court on Monday where he pleaded guilty to a domestic violence related charge of assault occasioning actual bodily harm.

According to court papers, Achilles and his partner were drinking alcohol at Club Banora over a six hour period from 11am on July 31.

Achilles became agitated while playing poker machines and slapped a drink out of the victim’s hand.

He then went to his grandfather’s house nearby which the victim attended before they walked back home together.

According to court papers, they argued again before Achilles threw a hook-style punch hitting the back of her head and pulled her hair down causing her to fall to the ground.

A neighbour came out and helped the victim and Achilles ran away.

Once the victim returned home she saw Achilles running out the back of the house and another argument started.

She said she shoved him when he came into her personal space.

Achilles threw another punch causing cuts, swelling and a nose bleed.

A witness called the police.

Achilles went to the police station on August 9 and declined to be interviewed but said in the dock the victim had kept him in her bedroom and wouldn’t let him out and she was “yelling at me and grabbing me and ragging on so I punched her”.

Defence lawyer Russell Baxter told the court his client remembered what happened differently and said he had slapped her and not punched her.

Mr Baxter tendered a photo of the victim’s injuries and said there appeared to be no physical injuries.

However police prosecutor Tim Monahan asked the court to give no regard to the submissions and said Achilles had pleaded guilty to the police facts which involved a punch.

Mr Monahan tendered a different “clearer” photo of the injuries.

Magistrate Geoff Dunlevy said he had taken into account both versions of events but said it was clear the victim had suffered injuries.

“I must warn you if you engage in this type of conduct again there’s a very good prospect you will receive a prison term,” Mr Dunlevy told Achilles.

Achilles was convicted and sentenced to a two year community correction order with supervision and a requirement to attend alcohol and other drug treatment.