Jason Elliot: Dubbo man convicted of domestic violence crimes

A man who used his knee to choke a woman after he savagely assaulted her said “I don’t care I’m going to kill you” moments before she managed to escape.

A Dubbo man has made a grovelling public apology to a woman he savagely assaulted in an extreme case of domestic violence that left her with breathing difficulties and blurry vision.

In court documents, police said Jason James Elliott attacked the woman about two months after their relationship ended and he accused her of seeing other people.

Dubbo domestic violence offender Jason Elliot leaves court after being sentenced.

Elliot, 43, went to the woman’s home at 11.30pm on June 11, and the pair started verbally arguing at a dining room table.

Police said Elliot knocked the woman off a chair after punching her in the mouth.

A struggle between the pair ensued and Elliot grabbed the woman’s hair and dragged her by the hair into a bedroom where she was pushed up against a dresser and headbutted multiple times.

Police said the woman crouched down on the ground and used her arms to cover her head, however Elliot repeatedly kicked her in the stomach.

The woman managed to make her way into a hallway but while she was on her back Elliot knelt on top of her and placed one knee on her throat and the other on her upper chest.

According to police the woman’s breathing became affected and her vision went blurry.

She said “you are going to kill me” to Elliot and he replied, saying “I don’t care, I don’t care, I’m going to kill you”.

Fearing her life was in danger, the woman scratched Elliot’s arms and chest in an attempt to get him off her.

After she bit Elliot’s arm, the woman managed to escape and fled outside the home to call for help.

Police charged Elliot with intimidation, assault and choking offences, which he pleaded guilty to.

Dubbo Local Court Magistrate Theresa Hamilton said the attack would have been “terrifying” for the victim. Picture: Jedd Manning

In court, defence lawyer Kim Ibbott said Elliot worked as a cleaner and maintenance person at a local club, and had initially entered pleas of not guilty because he did not agree with the statement of facts police had prepared.

The pleas were changed to guilty after Elliot “thought the whole thing through” and wanted to avoid lengthy legal proceedings, Mr Ibbott told the court.

“He has done wrong, he acknowledges that, he does not shy away from it,” Mr Ibbott said.

According to Mr Ibbott, the “isolated incident” of domestic violence happened after Elliot got a text message from the woman, claiming he failed to respond to a message from a school about Covid testing.

The court heard Elliot claimed he never received a message and went to the woman’s house because he was annoyed she did not believe him.

Through his lawyer, Elliot issued a public apology to the woman he attacked.

“I’m sorry for choking you and making you feel scared and confused,” Elliot said.

“I will never let that happen again and I’m seeking out ways to be a better man.”

Dubbo Local Court Magistrate Theresa Hamilton said while “it would have been quite a terrifying incident for the victim”, her injuries “were not of the most serious nature”.

“The defendant has one relevant conviction that was 23 years ago for common assault,” Magistrate Hamilton said as she noted Elliot had no history of domestic violence.

“He has provided references, he’s obviously well thought of.

“I note that he has now engaged in a number of services.”

Elliot was convicted of all offences and placed on a two-year community corrections order which requires him to be of good behaviour.