William Raymond, 77, escapes conviction for punching pregnant woman he accused of ‘trespassing’
A 77-year-old lifelong blood donor and servant of community-based volunteer organisations has been spared a conviction for assaulting a pregnant woman he accused of trespassing on private property.
Mid-North Coast
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A 77-year-old man who punched a pregnant woman in the face because he took issue with her ‘trespassing’ at a community-titled estate he lived at, has been handed a community corrections sentence.
William Nigel Raymond, of Dunbogan, appeared in Wauchope Local Court on Wednesday - an unfamiliar location for the septuagenarian whom, according to character references, was more familiar participating in community volunteer meetings than sitting in court rooms.
The long-standing NSW Fire and Rescue volunteer was facing sentencing for the common assault of 38-year-old Carlie Williams, who at the time of the offence was six months pregnant.
“However I don’t think he knew that your honour,” Raymond‘s lawyer Douglas Hannaway said.
Police facts tendered to the court state that on the morning of December 15 last year, Ms McWilliams parked her car at Camden Haven’s Timbarra Community Estate before exiting with her dog to walk down to the beach.
Ms McWilliams said she was entitled to visit the property as she was a previous resident who still knew friends that lived there.
But as was often the case when unfamiliar people arrived, Mr Raymond approached Ms Mcwilliams and challenged her about her visit before accusing her of trespassing.
The victim, however, left her car where it was and proceeded to walk her dogs down a lane towards the beach, “with the accused walking slightly behind,” the court documents stated.
Another resident of the property, Greg Mitchell, was on a whale watching tower some 30 metres away when he noticed the pair arguing.
“The accused was observed by Mitchell to push or strike the victim towards her face, followed by a ‘right over hand punch’, which connected with McWilliams cheekbone,” police facts stated.
“The witness yelled for the accused to stop.”
Police took statements from Ms McWilliams, who they said appeared ‘visibly shaken and upset.’
Later that day police attended the address of Mr Raymond, where he made admissions to punching Ms Mcwilliams, stating that she was trespassing on the private gated residence.
He said he reacted aggressively after the woman spat in his face.
References tendered in described Mr Raymond’s behaviour as severely out of character, given his many community service commendations which included a long service and good conduct medal with NSW Fire and Rescue.
He was also renowned as a life-time blood donor.
Ms Darcy took into account his good record and character references, sparring him a conviction.
He was instead ordered to serve an 18 month community corrections sentence.