David Stephen Bradshaw jailed for ‘brutal’ domestic violence crimes against pregnant partner

A man who punched his 10-week pregnant partner before telling her she would wake up in a pool of her blood has been sentenced. See what the magistrate had to say.

A man who assaulted his pregnant partner in a series of “brutal crimes” has been jailed for three years.

David Stephen Bradshaw appeared at Campbelltown Local Court on Monday via video link after pleading guilty to 13 domestic violence charges including assault occasioning actual bodily harm.

David Bradshaw was sentenced at Campbelltown Local Court on January 24.

The 42-year-old had been in a relationship with the victim on and off for 13 years, and at the time of some of the offences she was pregnant with his child.

Court documents revealed that in March 2021, the victim and Bradshaw got into an argument over her purchase of cigarettes. When she yelled at him to stop, Bradshaw said “it’s all your fault” before he punched her.

The victim told officers the assault lasted for 10 minutes and she yelled at Bradshaw to “go and kill your kid, just do the job and finish me”.

According to police facts, Bradshaw woke the victim on March 23, but as she did not get up fast enough her told her: “I’m going to drag you from the house to the paddock across the road, bash the f--k out of you. You will wake up in a pool of blood and no one will hear you scream. See how tough you are now. Why do you make me do this to you?”

Campbelltown Courthouse.

The victim had contacted police and the next day Bradshaw was arrested by officers. After being placed in custody, he tried to contact the victim more than 200 times despite an AVO being in place.

The Glenfield man’s lawyer made written submissions and also asked the court to take into account that he has been in jail since March 2021, and was currently in a Covid ward.

The police prosecutor argued there was a need for specific deterrence and an acknowledgment of the harm done to the victim.

In sentencing, Magistrate Michael Stoddart acknowledged the pleas of guilty, which entitled him to a discount, but said Bradshaw had an “extensive record”.

He said the matters were “quite alarming” when one reads the facts.

“They are very brutal,” Magistrate Stoddart said.

“It’s a person you’ve had a long-term relationship with

“For goodness sake she was pregnant at the time with your child.”

Domestic violence generic hands up

Magistrate Stoddart said violence has been a factor for Bradshaw’s life and there was a need to acknowledge the harm done to the victim.

He said he was troubled by the parts of a sentencing assessment report where Bradshaw blamed the victim by saying things like “look what you made me do”.

“The actions of a bully,” Magistrate Stoddart said.

“It seems to me Bradshaw that you have no respect for the law and worse still no respect it would appear people you should care about.

“It’s just appalling.”

Magistrate Stoddart sentenced Bradshaw to a combined term of three years in jail. He will be eligible for parole from March 2023.

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