Matthew Toole, 29: Dubbo tradie convicted over common assault charge on ex girlfriend

A Dubbo tradie who slapped his ex girlfriend across the face after a night out at the pub has been sentenced in court.

Matthew Toole, 29, of Dubbo has been convicted over a charge of common assault (domestic violence).

A Dubbo tradesman who slapped his ex-girlfriend across the face over his suspicions that she had been talking to other men has been convicted, a court has been told.

Matthew Toole, 29, appeared in Dubbo Local Court, pleading guilty to a domestic violence related common assault charge on his ex girlfriend after a night out at a local pub.

The 29-year-old initially denied the allegations to police, however entered a guilty plea in court on January 25.

The incident occurred between 12.50am and 1.08am in October 2022 after Toole “slapped” his ex girlfriend on the right side of her face.

Agreed facts tendered to the court revealed Toole and his ex-partner were in an intimate relationship for three years which ended in August 2022, but the pair still remained in contact.

On October 22, documents state Toole and the victim went home together after seeing each other at the Pastoral Hotel, where they both consumed alcohol.

Mr Toole, 29, leaving court after being convicted of a charge of common assault (domestic violence) at Dubbo Local Court.

According to the facts, the victim was lying on Toole’s couch at about 1am in the lounge room and was on her phone.

Mr Toole made allegations of the victim “conversing” with other males and proceeded to take the phone from the victim’s hands and slapped her face while she was still lying on the couch, the facts state.

The victim left the house got into her car which was parked in the driveway.

She called the police at about 1.15am and when police arrested Toole, he denied all the allegations concerning the assault.

His solicitor Corey Suckling stated his client’s actions were the “minimal degree of violence” did not cause the victim “forced pain” or “injury”.

“They remain amicable in terms of friendship,” Mr Suckling said.

Mr Suckling told the court Toole was planning to move to Ballina to be closer to his six-year-old son from a former relationship.

Magistrate Gary Wilson warned Toole that the assault “carries a potential jail sentence”.

“Domestic violence is not tolerated whatsoever, no matter what was inflicted upon,” Mr Wilson said.

“I trust that this type of offending won’t happen again.”

Toole was convicted and fined $500.