Brute blames throat slash threat and partner punching on drinking and taking drugs as a young boy
A drug-hazed man who took a knife to the throat of the mother of his two-month-old baby before punching her in a Frankston street days later blames his actions on drinking alcohol from the age of seven before starting on drugs three years later.
South East
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A thug who put his partner in a headlock and threatened to slash her throat has blamed a traumatic childhood – including drinking alcohol when he was aged just seven – for his violence.
Bailey Prentice, who smoked cannabis from the age of 10 and spent his later teenage years addicted to ice, also punched the woman in the face in a Frankston street.
The Seaford man, who spent his 21st birthday in custody while on remand, was told he faces more time behind bars and the likelihood of having to do a community corrections order upon release.
He pleaded guilty to assaults, threat to kill and court order breach charges at Frankston Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday, June 16.
The court heard at about 2am on March 16 this year the then 20-year-old argued with his partner, who is the mother of his two-month-old daughter.
He grabbed the woman in a headlock, held a knife to her throat and said he “should kill her” before he walked away and left the house.
Just four days later he saw the woman in a Frankston street, went up to her and punched her in the mouth before calmly strolling away.
He went to her house three times in early April.
He was arrested on April 8 and remanded into custody.
His defence lawyer said his substance abused started early in life, beginning with him drinking alcohol when he was seven before smoking cannabis at 10 and then going on to amphetamines and ice.
He said his client accepted there was no excuse for his violence, which happened in a “toxic relationship” while he was affected by meth, and knew there would be challenges ahead to treat his long-term addictions.
Via video link Prentice, who had already spent 69 days on remand, told the court his milestone birthday wasn’t something he wanted to remember, saying “ I didn’t necessarily think I would be in jail”.
Magistrate Vicky Prapas said he shouldn’t blame the relationship or drugs for what he did.
“A perpetrator of violence needs to be accountable for his actions,” Ms Prapas said.
“(Prentice) needs behavioural changes, cognitive changes, or he will continue offending.”
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Ms Prapas said Prentice had “embarked on a path” that gave her no choice but to give him jail time, but hadn’t yet decided how long it would be and the duration of any corrections order that may follow.
“Acts of violence against women are meant to be dealt with (by a court) harshly,” she said.
He was remanded in custody and will be sentenced on Friday, June 19.