Michael Carkeek attacked partner over meditation music

A Wagga man punched his girlfriend so hard that he fractured her eye socket because she was playing meditation music.

A young man punched his live-in girlfriend so hard he fractured her eye socket because she was playing meditation music too loudly.

Michael Carkeek, 25, who earlier pleaded guilty to assault causing actual bodily harm, fronted Wagga District Court on Friday for sentencing.

The court heard the Ashmont man and his then girlfriend were living together and were in a relationship that was dysfunctional and quickly disintegrating on account of drug use.

Markeek and the victim had known each other for 12 years before the started a relationship which lasted a few months, however towards the breakdown of their relationship the couple were sleeping in separate bedrooms.

A court heard on April 1, 2018, Markeek’s girlfriend was playing meditation music in her bedroom, as well as Disney music in the lounge room, while singing and dancing, when he appeared in the doorway and punched her in the face.

Michael Carkeek outside Wagga District Court house on September 9,.

According to court documents, the victim told police, ‘I didn’t fall or cry, when he hit me, I just stood there.’

‘I remember I was singing and dancing and then seeing Michael in the doorway of the two bedrooms and then like I felt this massive blow to my eye,” she said.

The documents state: ‘Markeek said ‘you need medical attention’ and he called the ambulance and police after the incident, telling police, “I smashed my girlfriend in the head.”

Carkeek’s lawyer, Jonathan Michie, said: “The offence wasn’t planned or part of an organised activity and Mr Markeek is highly likely to reoffend.

“Mr Carkeek called an ambulance and went with his girlfriend to the hospital and made full admissions, a scar is seemingly the only lasting effect of the incident.”

Judge Gordon Lerve told the court domestic violence was a serious offence, especially one that is towards the higher end of mid-range offending.

“I find remorse in this case because of his actions calling the ambulance and police and that he is unlikely to reoffend, however the court are sick and tired of dealing with matters of domestic violence,” Judge Lerve said.

“People are entitled to play music without being punched in the eye.

“Most domestic violence attacks aren’t planned, it is an offence of anger, and Markeek has a history of assaults and domestic violence.”

Carkeek received a community corrections order for two and a half years and was ordered to perform 250 hours of community service.