Former North Melbourne premiership star Shannon Grant jailed over attack on girlfriend
HE was a decorated AFL star, with a flag and Norm Smith medal to his name. But Shannon Grant’s binge drinking and violence sent him over the edge and landed him in jail.
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FORMER North Melbourne premiership star Shannon Grant is free on bail after he was jailed for six months for savagely beating his girlfriend because he thought she was talking to other men.
Grant flew into jealous rages on three separate occasions, accusing his former partner of infidelity.
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Despite regular police intervention and steps taken by Grant’s ex-partner to protect herself, Grant continued a series of attacks between June and December last year.
The Moorabbin Magistrates’ Court heard today Grant, 40, was a binge-drinking alcoholic who turned to the bottle as a solution to deal with emotional stress.
He had been attending alcohol rehab for six months and had been sober since March, the court heard. He had also enrolled himself in a men’s behaviour program.
Grant pleaded guilty to seven charges, including several counts of unlawful assault. Along with a jail term, he was ordered to complete a 12-month Community Correction Order that included 90 hours of community service and was fined $400.
Grant was bailed just 90 minutes into his jail term, after he lodged an immediate appeal, to be heard in the County Court.
Police did not oppose his bail application.
His lawyer said: “He is deeply ashamed of his actions. He regrets them.
“He is personally deeply remorseful.”
Grant, a Norm Smith medallist, first attacked his partner last June, following a dinner party at his Highett home. The attack left his victim with bloody facial injuries and forced her to seek treatment at a hospital.
Five months later, he hit out again after finding text messages from another man on her phone.
Grant was arrested by police but gave a “no comment” interview.
Four days after Christmas, during a romantic weekend at a Yarra Valley winery, Balgownie Estate, Grant attacked again, after becoming enraged because he suspected his partner had been speaking to a man on Facebook.
His lawyer called for Grant to be placed on a Community Correction Order and fined.
“It is not a soft or easy option. It is an appropriate and just punishment,” she said.
But magistrate Thomas Barrett imposed a six-month jail term.
Grant has resigned from his roles as senior coach of St Kevin’s Old Boys’ Football Club and as a football commentator for ABC radio.