Matthew Bottrell: Warrandyte IT professional brutally attacks girlfriend
A Warrandyte man who smashed his girlfriend’s head into a bench after he felt she wasn’t grateful for the food he cooked, wasn’t entirely responsible for his actions, a court has heard.
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A brute smashed his partner’s face into a bench because he didn’t think she appreciated the food he’d made for her, a court has heard.
Ringwood Magistrates’ Court heard IT professional Matthew Bottrell, 47, told police to “make of it what you will” when they questioned him about the assault that left his girlfriend bloody and bruised at their Warrandyte home on August 23, 2019.
Bottrell’s lawyer Hannah Manuel told the court her client was a highly successful career man with a knack for computers.
He’d held senior roles with previous employers, including most recently at Nintex, which specialises in online workflow systems.
But Leading Senior Constable Adrian Batson told the court after Bottrell downing three bottles of wine he flew into a rage because he felt his partner, and her 10-year-old daughter, weren’t grateful enough for the food he’d prepared for them.
Sen-Constable Batson said Bottrell swore at his girlfriend before he put his hands around her neck and tightened his grip so she couldn’t breath.
He then grabbed the terrified woman by the hair and swung her around so her face hit the bench.
Police were immediately phoned following the assault, and Sen-Constable said Bottrell said was dismissive in his interview.
“Damned if you do, damned if you don’t. Doesn’t matter,” Bottrell told police when questioned.
The court heard Bottrel told police to make of the incident “what you will”.
But Ms Manuel told the court her client had no criminal history and his emotional outburst was in part caused by a brain injury he’d sustained a few months prior when he was hit by a car.
She also told the court Bottrell and his partner continued to date following the incident until they separated permanently earlier this year.
“He doesn’t believe this incident would have happened in the absence if the injury and that, in my submission, is significant,” Ms Manuel told the court.
Magistrate Susan Armour said Bottrell’s actions were a “serious example” of family violence and Bottrell needed to learn better ways of managing his anger.
The matter was adjourned for sentencing this month.
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