Cobram’s Ashley Ciccone sentenced for aggravated burglary and recklessly causing injury in Shepparton County Court

A Cobram man who broke into his ex-partner’s home before proceeding to assault her in front of their daughter has learnt his fate in the Shepparton County Court.

Ashley Mark Ciccone sentenced to three years jail after bashing his ex-partner in her own home on January 26, 2021. Picture: Facebook

A Cobram man who broke into his ex-partner’s house and bashed her in front of their daughter has learnt his fate in the Shepparton County Court.

Ashley Mark Ciccone pleaded guilty to aggravated burglary and recklessly causing injury in court after assaulting his former partner of 20 years after threatening to kill her.

Ciccone appeared via video link from Fulham Correctional Centre and appeared sombre, with his head lowered for most of the sentencing.

The court heard on January 26, 2021, Ciccone beat his ex-partner following a verbal argument that erupted in her home after he had broken in.

The couple — who had broken up a few months prior — were living in different houses in Cobram at the time.

The court heard Ciccone and the victim had been in contact that day, with Ciccone telling an associate he was “going to stab her and kill her”.

After breaking into the house, the couple began to argue, which escalated when Ciccone hit his former partner in the breasts.

Ashley Mark Ciccone

The court heard his daughter tried to intervene while her boyfriend ran outside to get help.

Judge Wendy Wilmoth said Ciccone’s actions were ”aggressive and frightening” for his former lover and daughter.

Judge Wilmoth read out the victim impact statement, which said Ciccone’s victim had had to go to hospital four times in the two weeks after the attack.

The woman suffers from PTSD and pain in her lower back and leg, and can no longer do pilates.

She noted she’d now “experienced respect in her new relationship”.

On sentencing Ciccone, Judge Wilmoth said he had an “unremarkable background” with hardworking parents.

Ashley Ciccone was sentenced in the Shepparton County Court after pleading guilty to aggravated burglary and recklessly causing injury. Picture: Supplied

He said Ciccone was a “chaotic drug user” and a “high functioning addict” but that he was “instantly remorseful after the event” and had a limited criminal history.

Judge Wilmoth rejected defence lawyer Christopher Terry’s argument for a combined sentence with a community corrections order, saying that Ciccone was “a functioning member of the community for many years, yet can call upon no explanation for (his) violent behaviour, other than substance abuse”.

Ciccone was sentenced to three years behind bars, with a non-parole period of 18 months.

He has already served 145 days in pre-sentenced detention.

The court heard Ciccone planned to move away from central Victoria upon his release from prison.