Jacob Oakes: ‘Gutless coward’ sentenced for assaulting woman

A vexed magistrate has torn shreds off an aloof Woonona bricklayer as he sentenced him for stalking and assaulting a woman last year. Read the exchange.

A “gutless coward” from Woonona has been chastised for his “pathetic” behaviour in and out of court by a magistrate in Wollongong Local Court on Thursday.

Magistrate Roger Prowse asked 23-year-old Jacob Oakes multiple times if he wanted to obtain a lawyer as he faced charges, which he had pleaded guilty to, of common assault, attempting to stalk or intimidate with the intention to cause fear of harm, possessing a prohibited drug and destroying or damaging property.

Oakes, who had his hands in the pocket of his bedraggled hoodie, muttered “No” before the magistrate asked ”Can you think of any reason why you shouldn’t go to jail?”.

“No,” the bricklayer said with a shrug.

“How much less than five years (the maximum term for his offending) should I give you?” Magistrate Prowse asked.

“I don’t know,” was the reply.

Woonona man Jacob Oates was labelled a “gutless coward” in court. Picture: Facebook

The charges stemmed from one night in June last year when a drunken Oakes was involved in an argument with a woman as she drove her car.

Oakes, who was in the passenger seat, grabbed the steering wheel before being kicked out of the car and heading to sink more booze at the nearby Figtree Hotel.

The victim attended the Figtree Hotel sometime after 10pm where she told him to stop drinking which he agreed to on the proviso she drove him to his Cooper Ave, Woonona, abode which happened to be an old caravan at the back of his grandmother’s house.

At the caravan the arguing resumed and Oakes broke his promise and cracked open another can of beer.

The woman tried to leave, but Oakes pushed her onto the bed and held her down and when she managed to break his grip he pulled her back down by her jumper, causing it to rip.

Oakes then pushed the crying victim’s head into a cabinet and held it there for 10 minutes.

Jacob Oakes drew the ire of Magistrate Roger Prowse. Picture: Facebook

The woman managed to escape to her vehicle where Oakes spat on the windscreen before jumping on the bonnet and climbing onto the roof – leaving dents and deep scratches.

The victim pulled out of the driveway with Oakes calling her a short time later and telling her “I’ll bash your head so hard you won’t wake up”.

She drove straight to Wollongong Police Station where she showed police the redness and bruising on her body as well as a video of Oakes jumping on her vehicle.

Officers arrested Oakes in his caravan just after 3pm where he was found in possession of cannabis.

“I bought 14g two days ago and I smoked about half of it,” he told the police.

“I am guilty of the damage [to the car], but not the rest.”

In court on Thursday, Oakes looked intent on denying the charges he had previously pleaded guilty to.

“Mate, I didn’t assault her, I just pushed her,” Oakes interrupted as Magistrate Prowse read through the charges.

Jacob Oakes kept interrupting Magistrate Roger Prowse during the proceedings. Picture: Facebook

“If you call me ‘mate’ again you’ll be down there so fast you won’t hear the door go bang,” the magistrate roared.

“So far you have treated these proceedings with contempt and derision.

“You interrupt again and we will start this again the week after next.”

Magistrate Prowse asked “Did you read the facts you pleaded guilty to?” which cajoled an ambivalent ”Not really” from Oakes.

“Well that’s your issue,” the magistrate said.

“‘I’ll whack your head so hard you won’t wake up’ is sufficient in anyone’s language to warrant going to jail.

“Should you go to jail?”

“I didn’t hurt anyone,” Oakes responded.

“You actually did, so let’s not beat around the bush,” the magistrate fired back.

“Have you changed your mind about wanting to see a lawyer?”

“I don‘t know,” Oakes whimpered.

Jacob Oates won’t get back to the caravan in his grandmother’s backyard for at least nine months. Picture: Facebook

Magistrate Prowse sentenced Oakes to 16 months in jail with a non-parole period of nine months and once he’s out from behind bars he won’t be able to contact or go near the victim for two years.

“There doesn’t appear to be any contrition or remorse for your actions,” the magistrate said as he handed down his decision.

“Given your interaction with the court you clearly don’t feel guilty and you’re trying to disassemble the facts you’ve pleaded guilty to.

“When I asked if I should send you to jail you were completely and utterly silent … Perhaps that was a guttural reaction in which case I agree with you.

“You will be able to tell the 25-stone muscular blokes in the exercise yard how tough you are. The conversation will last 45 seconds, 43 of which you will be screaming.

“You are a gutless coward … Officers, take him away, thanks.”

Oakes will be eligible for parole on March 31, 2023.