Mildura thug Benjamin Stephenson accused of brutal head-stomping assault on terrified woman

Restrictive bail conditions have been “very, very hard” for a cashed-up and “arrogant” Mildura brute who savagely threw a woman across a room and stomped on her head, a court has heard.

Benjamin Stephenson stomped on a woman’s head and threw her across a room, fracturing her rib in a brutal attack. Picture: Generic

A cashed up Mildura man who earns half a million dollars a year working overseas stomped on a woman’s head and threw her across a room, fracturing her rib in a brutal attack, a court hears.

Benjamin Stephenson, 39, appeared in Mildura Magistrates’ Court, pleading guilty to multiple charges, including making threats to kill, unlawful assault, and intentionally causing injury.

The court heard Stephenson picked up his victim, slammed her head onto the ground, and repeatedly kicked her in a violent attack last year that fractured her rib.

He then threw the woman across the room a second time before stomping on her face.

The court was told the terrified victim said: “Just do it, I know you’re going to do it, just kill me.”

The victim attended the Mildura Base Public Hospital. Picture: Stuart Kavanagh.

After the assault, Stephenson repeatedly threatened the victim over the phone, telling her: “I’ll hunt you down until you’re dead. I’ll cave your f---ing head in – give this conversation to police. I don’t give a f---.”

When arrested, Stephenson said the woman had broken her rib while falling, but later admitted making threats though he claimed he never intended to follow through.

Stephenson’s lawyer Katrina Ljubicic told the court her client had attended anger management courses and psychological therapy, arguing the charges had deeply impacted his life due to restrictive bail conditions.

Magistrate Patrick Southey called Stephenson an “arrogant, entitled and controlling man”.

“That’s been very, very difficult for him,” Stephenson’s lawyer said.

However, police prosecutor Raef Oliver argued anything less than a jail term would send a dangerous message.

“The only message [a sentence of time served] sends is that affluence can keep you out of prison,” Mr Oliver said.

Magistrate Patrick Southey strongly disagreed, stating that was not his intention.

“He is an arrogant, entitled and controlling man,” Mr Southey said.

“Your behaviour is so appalling that you will carry the stigma of [this offending] for the rest of your life.

“I can’t emphasise enough to the victim and the community how valuable your plea is. You have spared her and the community the awful ordeal of a contested hearing.”

Stephenson was sentenced to eight days behind bars — reckoned as time served — and fined $10,000.