St Clair train driver Stephen Neville pleads guilty to domestic violence

A New Zealand man on $155,000 a year who attacked his wife of 40 years and left her with red marks around her neck has begged to avoid a conviction because it would ‘force him to resign”.

A 57-year-old train driver on $155,000 a year has tried to avoid a conviction after he attacked his partner of 40 years.

Stephen Neville faced Penrith Local Court on Monday after pleading guilty to assault.

The St Clair man attacked his wife on the night of September 14 leaving her with “redness to her neck, chest and arm”, the court heard.

Stephen Neville attacked his wife of 40 years, leaving red marks around her neck.

The couple have been in a domestic relationship for about 40 years and have three children together, who are adults and live overseas. Both are New Zealand citizens, born in South Africa.

They were lying in bed together when Mrs Neville hit him with her elbow out of frustration with minimal force, according to court documents.

Mr Neville then elbowed his partner twice before kicking out at her, striking her in the back, the force of which pushed her against her bedside table.

Mr Neville then got out of bed and walked to Mrs Neville’s side of the bed and stood over her as she tried to get up.

Court documents reveal he repeatedly pushed Mrs Neville down as she tried to get out of the bed and struck her with the heel of his palm before pushing her down around her chest and grabbing her neck, leaving red marks on her neck, chest and arm, according to court documents.

Mrs Neville called triple-0 but he took the phone from her before she could speak with an operator.

Magistrate Alexander Mijovich reminded him of the seriousness of the offence and said he was surprised to find out the pair were still together.

“Grabbing her around the neck, throwing her, hitting her,” he said.

“This wasn’t a one or two second matter because it went on for a while. Are you still together?”

“Yes, she’s actually waiting outside for me,” Mr Neville said.

“That surprises me,” Magistrate Mijovich replied.

St Clair train driver, Stephen Neville, was given a two-year community corrections order on September 21 after he assaulted his partner of 40 years.

Mr Neville, who earns about $155,000 per year as a train driver according to court documents, told the court he was concerned he would lose his job if he was convicted.

“I apologise for what happened. I don’t know how it happened,” Mr Neville said.

“If this went on my record, it would destroy my career, I’d have to resign.”

Magistrate Mijovich said: “It wasn’t a simple push. Any form of domestic violence is unacceptable and this went on for a period of time.

“There are issues relating to alcohol and anger management. Deal with it now, you can’t afford to come back. You are ordered to be on good behaviour. Commit any offence and this matter gets called up again.”

Mr Neville was convicted and sentenced to a one-year community corrections order to commence on September 21.