Brock John Hynes sentenced in Taree court for domestic violence offending against ex

A Mid-North Coast labourer has been sentenced for ignoring court orders and threatening his ex. It comes as a magistrate has described domestic violence as an “epidemic”.

Taree police station and courthouse.

In the context of what a Mid-North Coast magistrate described as an “epidemic” of domestic violence sweeping the region, a labourer has been sentenced for repeatedly stalking his ex-partner.

At one point, amid a torrent of abuse towards her, Brock John Hynes messaged the woman he had previously been in a six-year relationship with, saying “you don’t make the rules”.

But the most chilling of the threats cannot be revealed due to legal restrictions.

Hynes pleaded guilty to two charges of stalking and intimidating with the intention of causing fear of physical or mental harm, and two counts of contravening a prohibition in an apprehended domestic violence order.

The 33-year-old also pleaded guilty to destroying or damaging property valued at less than $2000.

The offences occurred in Cundletown on the afternoon of July 10 last year.

Brock John Hynes.

Hynes appeared in Taree Local Court for sentencing on June 7.

He has taken responsibility for his crimes and since moved to the Tamworth area, his lawyer told the court.

Magistrate Allison Hawkins said Hynes should be “embarrassed” and he was “closely approaching time in jail” because the offending occurred while he was already on a court order

“If there are any further breaches, jail is well and truly on the cards,” she told the court.

This week in Taree Local Court, visiting Magistrate John Chicken described domestic violence as an “epidemic” across the Mid-North Coast.

“Sixty per cent of our work in this court is domestic violence,” he said.

“One in two girls who grow up in domestic violence relationships become victims of domestic violence and one in two boys who grow up in domestic violence relationships become perpetrators.”

Hynes was sentenced to two community corrections orders of 18-months and two-years, to be served concurrently.

He will be directed to undergo domestic violence and anger management education.

Hynes was also ordered to complete 100 hours of community service and not to come within 10km of Taree.