Moss Vale chef Ercan Esmek headbutted and threatened to stab his partner

A ‘highly regarded’ local chef has avoided jail after headbutting his partner and threatening to stab her in their Moss Vale home.

A local chef who is “thought of very highly” has escaped a full-time jail sentence after headbutting and bashing his partner.

Ercan Esmek, 43, appeared in Moss Vale Local Court via video link after pleading guilty to assault occasioning actual bodily harm and two counts of intimidation towards his partner.

The court was told the chef was watching the rugby with his partner in their Moss Vale home on April 1, when an argument broke out.

He hit her four times in the head and then headbutted her, causing bruising and a visible lump above her eye. According to court documents, Esmek threatened to stab the victim.

Southern Highlands chef Ercan Esmek was arrested for headbutting his partner and threatening her with a knife. Picture: Facebook

“If I had a knife, I’d stick it in your c***,” he said.

She retreated to the bedroom and went to the hospital the next day to treat her injuries.

Later that month, on April 19, the pair were at home together and the victim was feeding their pets while Esmek cooked. Court documents reveal he became upset for “no apparent reason” and picked up a 30cm kitchen knife, which he held in front of his body.

“You better get a job c***,” he told her.

She ignored him and he repeated himself, telling her to get a job. When she told him she had an interview for a job the following day, he held the knife in front of his body and walked towards her. He got very close and again threatened to stab her.

“If you don’t get one by next week, I’m gonna stick this in your neck c***,” he told her.

The victim grabbed her phone and went to the police station. She told police she was worried Esmek might assault her “or worse”. He was arrested that evening and she was granted an apprehended violence order.

Esmek’s lawyer said his client had spent his seven weeks in jail reflecting on the severity of his actions.

“This is my client’s first time in custody,” he said.

“That’s given him insight into the seriousness of his offending.”

Esmek’s parents and brother were in Moss Vale Court to support him, and his lawyer told the court their support showed the strong family ties which would help prevent Esmek from reoffending.

Magistrate Robert Rabbidge agreed Esmek had “positive prospects” for rehabilitation and noted his “great skills” as a chef.

“I do note Mr Esmek is thought of very highly,” he said.

Ercan Esmek appeared in Moss Vale Local Court in his prison greens on June 8 2021. Picture: AAP Image/Joel Carrett

However, he told the court the charges were of serious concern to the community.

“Domestic violence in all of its forms is taken extremely seriously,” he said.

“The community has had enough of very angry males who put their partners and sometimes kids into fear.”

The magistrate asserted Esmek’s “humiliation” at his time served in prison would deter him from further offending.

“All the indignities of prison are well known,” he said.

Magistrate Rabbidge sentenced Esmek to an eight month Intensive Corrections Order with supervision and ordered the offender to undertake domestic violence courses. He also imposed a two-year AVO to protect the victim. Esmek is already serving a 12-month Community Corrections Order for breaching the AVO.

The court heard Esmek will move to Sydney, where he has a job opportunity as a chef.