Cobar man Matthew Egan sentenced for attacking, choking ex-partner

A drunken father who unleashed horrific violence on his former partner – choking her for up to 20 seconds and pushing her into wall forcing a hole – has been sentenced.

Dubbo Courthouse

A shift worker who pushed his ex-partner against a wall, slapped her across the face and choked her, has learned his fate in court.

Cobar resident Matthew Egan, 32, was sentenced on the charges of contravening an apprehended violence order, stalk/intimidate, intentionally choke without consent and assault at Dubbo Local Court on Thursday.

Egan had been in a relationship with the victim for six years, who they share two children, but had broken up despite living together at the time of the violent incident.

Police facts tendered to the court reveal Egan, in May 2022, called his ex-partner multiple times but after a few calls she believed he “sounded intoxicated” and told him to get some sleep.

After a few missed calls, Egan drove to their shared residence between 11.40am and 12pm. “The victim could smell alcohol on the offender,” the facts state.

Matthew Egan, 32, was sentenced to an 18-month term of imprisonment for assaulting his ex-partner.

The victim let the Cobar man inside where he walked into the lounge room and began “yelling and abusing” his former partner.

Documents state the woman asked him to stop and told him she was going to her father’s house and tried to call him.

Dubbo courthouse. Picture: Ryan Young

Egan then took her phone and made threats against the victim’s father. He then saw a text between her and a mutual friend and unleased more abuse.

The Cobar man then grabbed her by the shoulders and neck and pushed her towards the floor, court documents reveal.

According to the facts, he then pushed her against a wall leaving a hole in the gyprock.

He then slapped her on the side of the face which resulted in bruising and redness. The woman attempted to get away, however Egan then forced her to her knees and pushed her to the ground again.

“The offender put his hands around the victim’s throat for approximately five to 20 seconds, with the victim at times not being able to breathe properly,” the police facts state.

“The victim attempted to release the offender’s grip from around her throat by attempting to bend his fingers back against the top of his hand so he would release his grip.”

While Egan had his hands around her throat, he said “this is what happens”.

A neighbour called police who arrived about 1.30pm.

Magistrate Tang sentenced Egan 18 months jail, with a 10-month non-parole period, backdated to May 28, 2022.

He was eligible to be released on parole on Monday.