William Collis sentenced for assault

A former aspiring NRL player who punched his partner in the face multiple times causing “significant swelling” has faced a stern reprimand from a magistrate.

William Collis, 35, has been convicted for a domestic violence assault.

A former aspiring NRL player who punched his partner in the face multiple times causing “significant swelling” has been convicted.

William Collis, 35, appeared in Dubbo Local Court on Thursday and pleaded guilty to assault occasioning in actual bodily harm - domestic violence.

The transport controller was arrested in early hours of a Sunday morning in April, after police were alerted he punched his partner at the time in the face multiple times.

Facts tendered to the court stated the pair had an argument regarding Collis’ “aggressive” and “intoxicating” behaviour.

According to the facts, Collis told the victim to leave the flat – which she did while Collis was in the bathroom.

When he finished in the bathroom, he noticed their absence and caught up to them on Darling St, where he punched the victim in the left eye.

“The victim curled up, trying to protect herself,” the facts stated.

Collis “punched the victim in the same eye again, in an uppercut motion” three or four times.

Dubbo courthouse

“The accused...returned to the flat while the victim called out for help,” the facts stated.

When police arrived, officers noticed the “huge swelling” on her left eye.

“The accused was noticeably intoxicated and aggressive, swearing and shouting loudly at police,” the facts stated.

Collis was arrested and taken to Dubbo Police Station where he was too intoxicated for an interview to be conducted.

Dubbo Police Station. Picture: Ryan Young

The victim was taken to Dubbo Base Hospital for medical examination.

His solicitor Naadirah Sathar said Collis understands he has a “drinking” issue which escalates his aggression and is seeking counselling in relation to his mental health, anger and excessive drinking.

She stated that he has been “remorseful” and was “crying at the time” of the incident.

Given his “limited history”, Ms Sathar said the incident has given Collis “significant insight into his offending”.

Magistrate Gary Wilson reminded Collis of his size, saying that Collis is “a big man” and that domestic violence related offending “cannot be tolerated”.

“Alcohol is no excuse,” he said.

“This type of offending can only be dealt with a custodial sentence.”

Collis was convicted and sentenced to a term of imprisonment in the community for 12 months, commencing on June 1.

The intensive correction order states Collis is to abstain from drugs and alcohol and attend drug and alcohol counselling.