Domestic violence offender spared jail after attending 16-week course

A MAN grabbed his partner by the throat and pushed her into a wall in a violent attack - but was able to walk free from court today because of what he did afterwards.

A MAN who grabbed his partner by the throat and pushed her into a wall has been able to walk free after he began a domestic violence prevention program.

The couple’s baby was in the room at the time when the attack occurred.

The 39-year-old man, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was told yesterday he was fortunate not to spend actual time in custody after pleading guilty in Southport District Court to one count each of assault occasioning bodily harm and common assault.

Judge Katherine McGinness said: “You came so close to going into custody today, I can assure you.”

She said it was the 16-week rehabilitation course which saved him from spending actual time in custody.

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Ms McGinness sentenced him to 12 months prison to be suspended for an 18 month operational period.

The court heard the attack began after the man returned from dropping the woman’s child at school on February 7 last year.

The pair got into an argument about visiting the man’s parents when the man threw a baby bottle at the woman, hitting her in the head.

The attack continued and he grabbed her by the neck and pushed her into the wall.

The court was told the woman did not have any bruises around her neck.

“There was some provocation but that does not excuse the behaviour,” Ms McGinness said.

The man, who has a new partner who is pregnant, promised he had straightened out.

“You won’t be seeing my face again,” he said.

The woman did not provide a victim impact statement to the court.