Aaron Sutherland: Grafton man sentenced for domestic violence common assault
A North Coast labourer “charged” at his partner after becoming “enraged” during an argument. It’s not the first time he’s faced court for domestic violence.
Regional News
Don't miss out on the headlines from Regional News. Followed categories will be added to My News.
A repeat domestic violence offender has faced court again after he pushed his partner in the chest, causing her to fall and hit her head on a baby gate in their home.
Grafton man Aaron Sutherland, 37, fronted Grafton Local Court on Monday, pleading guilty to common assault.
It was not the first time the Clarence father has fronted court over domestic violence offending.
In 2020, Sutherland was punished for destroying property and common assault after he broke his ex-partner’s phone and pushed her to the ground during an argument over another man.
Sutherland was convicted and sentenced to a 12-month conditional release order.
The latest assault occurred on the morning of June 18, while the labourer and the victim argued about a family matter.
The dispute escalated and the woman told everyone to leave the house, which “enraged” Sutherland, the court heard.
He did leave, but used a key left in the door to re-enter the home.
“(Sutherland) then charged at the victim and used both his hands to push her directly to the chest,” police facts state.
“This caused the victim to fall backwards onto the floor …
“The victim’s head also collided with the bottom of the baby gate, causing immediate soreness to the back of her head and tail bone.”
Defence lawyer Jason Hatch told the court the victim was “screaming” at a family member and the situation “escalated from there”.
He said Sutherland was extremely remorseful and pleaded guilty at the earliest opportunity.
The court heard Sutherland “was raised better, raised not to do that”.
Magistrate Juliana Crofts said Sutherland’s criminal history was limited, but his domestic violence offending was “concerning”.
She convicted Sutherland and sentenced him to a 12-month community corrections order.
More Coverage
Originally published as Aaron Sutherland: Grafton man sentenced for domestic violence common assault
Farmer crash death accused to take Covid claim to trial
The trial of a North Coast man who has blamed a “Covid-induced blackout” for a horror crash which snatched the life of a much-loved local farmer is up in the air. Here’s the latest.
Revealed: ‘Dire’ reality of northern NSW housing crisis
From bad, to worse, to flat-out abysmal. That’s the current housing crisis situation from Byron Bay to the Qld-NSW border – and the statistics will alarm you.