Daniel O’Neil found guilty of attacking partner while drink driving in Ballina

A man has faced a North Coast court after viciously punching his female partner – and passenger – in the head while drink driving. Here’s how the magistrate dealt with him.

O’Neil was sentenced for domestic violence-related offending. Picture: File

A Lake Macquarie man faced a North Coast court after viciously punching his female partner – and passenger – in the head while drink driving.

Daniel O’Neil, 34, was sentenced late last month at Ballina Local Court for two counts of damaging property, two counts of common assault, driving with a mid-range PCA and driving with an expired licence.

He has been previously charged with intentionally choking a person without consent, a charge later dismissed.

The outside of Ballina Court House. Picture: Savannah Pocock

The victim and O’Neil were in a relationship when they were travelling through Ballina in a Nissan X-Trail on February 10, the court was told.

They had an argument and O’Neil punched the windshield of the woman’s car, smashing it.

O’Neil’s violence continued when the pair were driving along River St.

“He punched the victim five times in the head and once in the ribs,” police facts state.

A witness dialled triple-0 and police pulled the car over near the Big Prawn tourist attraction in central Ballina.

The perpetrator was pulled over not far from the Big Prawn in Ballina. Picture: File

O’Neil was breath tested, returning a blood alcohol reading of 0.095 – almost two times the legal limit.

He was found to be unlicensed and was arrested and taken to Ballina Police Station.

Defence lawyer Emma Dakin previously suggested an apprehended violence order (AVO) be put in place to protect the victim.

The outside of Ballina Police Station. Picture: Savannah Pocock

Police prosecutor Val Short told the court it was the second time O’Neil has been charged with a similar drink driving offence and he had a criminal record in Queensland.

Magistrate Paul MacMahon sentenced O’Neil to a 9-month intensive corrections order along with a supervised 12-month community corrections order.

He was fined $500 and his drivers licence was disqualified for six months.

A conviction has been recorded.

Got a story tip? Email [e-mail]

Originally published as Daniel O’Neil found guilty of attacking partner while drink driving in Ballina