Bowral: Jack Daw, 24, learns fate for domestic violence against former partner

A man who used to drink a bottle of vodka a night has learnt his fate after a brutal, drunken attack left his then partner with permanent injuries.

A man who used to drink a bottle of vodka a night has learned his fate for “very serious allegations” involving violence against a former partner that has left her with “permanent injuries”.

Jack Craig Richard Daw, 24, appeared for his matters via audiovisual link at Moss Vale Local Court on Tuesday, having previously pleaded guilty to a slew of offences including to stalk / intimidate and intend fear and physical harm, assault occasioning actual bodily harm, intentionally choking and breaching an AVO.

The incidents occurred over two nights, which the Bowral local had trouble recalling due to his level of intoxication, according to his lawyer.

Jack Craig Richard Daw, 24, appeared via audiovisual link at Moss Vale Local Court on Tuesday. Picture: Wesley Lonergan

Documents tendered to the court state between February 15 and 17, the former couple were having an argument about the victim going to sleep.

Daw then placed his hands around her throat and starting choking her, saying “I’ll just kill you and you won’t be able to talk”.

Police facts state he also struck her on the head an unknown number of times.

Following the assault, they went to bed, with the victim having sustained bruising to her neck and right hand.

The next day, documents state the same argument ensued only this time when she went to bed at around 2am, she opened her eyes to Daw standing over her holding a chair.

According to the facts, he threw the chair at her which painfully struck her hip, and continued to throw objects at her while she walked to the lounge room to pack her things.

While trying to pack up, Daw began spreading her clothes on the floor and said “these clothes are mine”.

Like the previous day, he threatened physical harm by saying he would “kill her mum and dad”, documents state.

He then grabbed a large kitchen knife, dragging the sharp edge across the victim’s face. This did not cut her but in the police facts she stated she was fearful he was going to cut her.

As he lowered the knife to her rib area, documents state he hit her with it and said “I will stab you so you will bleed out. I will just go away for five years”.

The onslaught of abuse continued that day and led to what his lawyer described as “the most alarming” event.

According to the facts, the victim grabbed a golf putter and struck him in self-defence. Daw then grabbed a golf club and started hitting her with it several times, causing significant swelling to her forehead.

Jack Craig Richard Daw punched his former partner, hit her with objects and threatened her throughout the two-day period. File photo.

He then struck her multiple times with a dumbbell bar, which further bruised her forearms and legs.

Documents state while Daw was sleeping, the victim fled on foot and got help at a local cafe where police were then called and she was taken to Bowral & District Hospital.

When searching the property, police found a broken golf putter, a bloody towel, blood droplets throughout the bathroom area and on the lounge, and a bloody singlet.

Facts state Daw was subsequently arrested – less than a year since the expiration of an apprehended violence order against the victim – and subject to a forensic procedure to obtain his DNA.

He has now been in custody awaiting his sentence for five months.

On Tuesday, his lawyer, Mr Mason, said the victim sustained “permanent physical injuries” and that Daw acknowledged “he went too far”.

“He made a choice that alcohol won’t be part of his life in the future,” Mr Mason said.

Mr Mason requested an intensive corrections order though on Thursday when Magistrate Mark Douglass handed down his sentence at Picton Local Court, he said:

“In my view it is too serious to be dealt with by way of an intensive community corrections order.”

“Community safety is paramount,” Magistrate Douglass said.

In relation to the charge of choking, Magistrate Douglass said it was a significant offence.

“In the law reform commission documents, it says that choking is a significant indicator in relation to further offences that could occur in relation to a victim including homicide,” he said.

Magistrate Douglass said Daw was an offender who would need an extended parole period in order to help facilitate his rehabilitation.

In imposing a sentence, he took into account Daw’s young age, his acknowledgment of the seriousness of his action and his early pleas of guilty.

“He expressed remorse, he feels ashamed … he accepts that the victim would have been scared,” Magistrate Douglass said.

For the charges of stalk or intimidate intending to cause fear of physical harm, assault occasioning actual bodily harm and intentionally choking, Daw was sentenced to a combined term of three-and-a-half years in jail.

He was given a non parole-period of two years and two months.

Daw was also sentenced to one month in jail for breaching an AVO in 2020 and convicted of running on train lines and travel or attempted travel without a valid ticket.