William Martin: Craigieburn man enters plea at Broadmeadows Magistrates’ Court

A cowardly Craigieburn man hid at his parents place after he violently assaulted his ex-girlfriend.

Craigieburn man William Martin, 38, pleaded guilty in the Broadmeadows Magistrates Court this week for a string of domestic violence charges against a former girlfriend.

A Craigieburn man found hiding by police at his parents’ property after assaulting his girlfriend has faced court.

William Martin, 38, was convicted for multiple domestic-violence related offences dating back to 2018, which included kicking his former girlfriend on as she lay on the ground.

The Broadmeadows Magistrates’ Court heard on Wednesday that in December 2018, Martin, after an argument with his girlfriend over the contents of a text message, chased her up the stairs of their home where he struck her on the head.

The court was told the victim, who Martin had been in a relationship with for three years and who he lived with in Craigieburn, fell over after being hit and was then kicked.

The next day Martin renewed the fight with the victim, kicking and punching holes in the wall of their home before the victim ran into a bedroom and locked a door.

After his arrest Martin told police in an interview that he hadn’t assaulted the victim.

“If I hit her, she’d have marks on her, wouldn’t she?” Martin said in documents tendered by the court.

Less than two months later, the court was told that an argument ensued at the victim’s address where Martin pulled out her clothes and smashed her computer after being told to leave.

He also pushed the victim out of her bedroom with enough force for her to strike her head.

The court heard that he was found in a caravan on his parents’ property that evening.

On February 12 this year at 6:45pm Martin, who had been separated from the victim for eight months, returned to the address where she lived with her daughter.

The court was told that after gaining access to the Craigieburn unit by smashing a rear window, Martin “ransacked” the property and threw multiple items out of the kitchen window.

After being alerted by neighbours, police arrived to find Martin unconscious on the floor of the unit, a condition suspected to have been caused by drugs.

Police said the damage was estimated to cost $1000.

Martin will return to court on April 14 to be sentenced.