Olympic rower Simon Burgess allegedly wore rubber gloves, bashed ex-wife pleading for life

A Hobart court has heard how a woman defended herself as Tasmanian Olympic rowing medallist Simon Burgess struck her over the head multiple times. Here’s the latest from court.

Sport Athletics launch of Point to Pinnacle race at Wrest Point Tasmanian Olympic rower Simon Burgess to compete

A Hobart court has heard how a woman pleaded for her life as Tasmanian Olympic rowing medallist Simon Burgess struck her over the head multiple times.

Friends and family for both the complainant and Mr Burgess, 57, appeared in the Hobart Magistrates Court on Wednesday before Magistrate Andrew McKee for a hearing.

Burgess previously pleaded guilty to three counts of breaching a family violence order and one count of injuring property, later entering a guilty plea to one charge of common assault.

Police prosecutor Andrew Lockley detailed how Mr Burgess’ 15-year relationship with the woman had broken down, with an apprehended violence order being issued by the woman for Mr Burgess.

Point to Pinnacle race from Wrest Point Hotel Casino to the top of (Mount) Mt Wellington, Olympic rower Simon Burgess happy after completing the run

On Saturday, December 2, Mr Burgess decided to attend the Franklin home of the woman to have what he said would be a “civil conversation”.

However, Mr Lockley described Mr Burgess as entering the woman’s home and into her bedroom while wearing black rubber gloves and ranting about a shared acquaintance.

Mr Burgess then straddled the woman and slapped her to the head eight times.

“The complainant then pleaded for her life to Mr Burgess, but he refused,” Mr Lockley said.

“She then reached for a glass pyrex bowl on her bedside table and struck him in the head which caused a cut on the defendant’s forehead that bled profusely.”

Mr Burgess continued his attack while “blood from his wound dripped on to her clothing and face” and punching the wall above the woman’s head.

The woman managed to escape, running to the road outside her property and flagging down a motorcyclist for assistance.

After being arrested by Tasmania Police for breaching a Family Violence Order (FVO) and taken to the Hobart Police Station, Mr Burgess stated he acknowledged the presence of an FVO but believed it was “bogus” and claimed the woman struck him in another area of the home.

Tasmanian Olympians return to Hobart from left Scott Brennan Cameron Wurf Simon Burgess Dana Faletic and Kerry Hore

Defence for Mr Burgess said he was in a poor mental space over the disintegration of his marriage and had begun to use alcohol heavily.

“He always believed his marriage would pull through and for him, it was something he viewed as a failure as he viewed his parent’s long relationship as the ultimate success,” his defence said.

“He accepts his desire to save his marriage was misplaced though and looking back over this period of relationship breakdown, he was using alcohol when feeling vulnerable.”

The defence also referenced Mr Burgess’ strong athletic career, including his performance at three Olympics, his volunteering history and character references from friends and organisations speaking to the incident being “out of character” for him.

His defence went on to say Mr Burgess has regularly attended counselling and undergone courses through Relationships Australia, stating it is a “fall from grace” from his once successful rowing career.

Mr McKee will now consider the facts before handing down a sentence on October 28.

Originally published as Olympic rower Simon Burgess allegedly wore rubber gloves, bashed ex-wife pleading for life