Lovett jailed over horrific assault on ex-partner

Troubled former AFL star Andrew Lovett has been jailed over a “manipulative” and aggressive domestic violence campaign against his ex-partner.

Troubled ex-AFL star Andrew Lovett will spend eight months behind bars for his terrifying 22-month domestic violence campaign against his former police officer girlfriend.

The former Essendon footballer will also be under supervision on a community correction order for 12 months on his release to ensure his increasingly violent behaviour towards women ceases.

Lovett’s ex-girlfriend Melanie Rowe told the Herald Sun she did not think she was going to get out of her relationship with Lovett alive.

“I was terrified,” the former policewoman, who has since had to give up her badge due to PTSD from the abuse, said.

“I strongly believe if the cycle of family violence continued, I wouldn’t be here to tell my story.”

She hopes to use her trauma to help others and had one message for other women who find themselves in a violent relationship: “Speak up.”

Melanie Rowe says her ‘nightmare’ relationship with Andrew Lovett will haunt her forever.

“I want women to know they are not alone and that family violence does not discriminate whether you’re rich, poor, celebrity, sportsperson or police women,” she said.

“It can happen to anyone. The more we speak up the more we change the story surrounding the judgement and stigma attached to family violence.”

Lovett being jailed is the closure she needs to move on to the next chapter of her life.

“I’m relieved that the chapter has closed and I am able to move forward,” she said.

She hoped his sentence “sends a message that this behaviour is not acceptable”.

Sentencing him at Dandenong Magistrates’ Court on Thursday, Magistrate Jason Ong blasted Lovett for the pain and suffering he caused Melanie Rowe in what was described as a “toxic relationship”.

“This family violence cannot be tolerated in our society,” Mr Ong said.

“The physical violence before me, committed by you, is of great concern.

“This was terrifying, ongoing, aggressive physical violence. It was controlling and manipulative behaviour.

“This was serious and sustained family violence. It’s concerning that it was escalating over a period of time.”

The Herald Sun revealed in December how Lovett had been arrested and charged with more than 88 offences, which included shocking assaults on Ms Rowe where he had choked, punched, kicked, spat on and even poured a beer between February 2020 and his arrest on December 9.

Last week, Ms Rowe, 36, speaking out for the first time, told of her “nightmare” relationship with Lovett and how “the rage in his eyes will haunt me forever”.

Ms Rowe was working in a police unit designed to protect sexual assault victims when she met the 2005 Anzac Day medallist through the dating app Tinder in 2019.

She described feeling “butterflies” in her stomach and felt their relationship was “the kind of love that’s in ­romance novels or movies”.

But Ms Rowe said it quickly turned into “toxicity and coercive control” and she ­realised she was “nothing more than a source of supply, providing him money, food, clothing and shelter”.

“I was stuck in the cycle and couldn’t get out,” Ms Rowe said.

“I was living a nightmare.

“He was my prince charming who I ended up needing rescuing from.”

Ms Rowe recalled two times when she had been knocked out, waking up to blood pouring down her face.

Andrew Lovett turned to alcohol and cocaine to combat boredom during Covid lockdowns.

Another time he grabbed her hair and slammed her head into the steering wheel while she was driving.

Ms Rowe said at times she needed medical attention, but knew it would raise questions so went without.

The court heard most of the assaults on Ms Rowe were alcohol-fuelled and that during Covid, Lovett had increased his alcohol and cocaine use out of boredom during Melbourne’s lockdowns.

As part of his 12-month CCO on his release from prison, he will have to undergo mental health and drug and alcohol abuse treatment.

The court heard he also had a history of violence against women and would also need to do programs to address this behaviour.

Lovett, who played 88 games for Essendon from 2005-09, pleaded guilty to 24 offences including recklessly and intentionally causing injury, and eight counts of assault.

His lawyer David Grace apologised on his behalf and said he was remorseful for his actions.

Mr Grace said the relationship was plagued with jealousy from both sides.

“There’s no excuse for it, but there is a reason for it,” he said.

“What you have is a man who has some mental health problems. He has a personality disorder. He has anger management issues.

“He has substance abuse issues, mostly alcohol, but some illicit substances.”

But he said Lovett was determined to turn his life around, and had no intention or desire to contact Ms Rowe again.

“He is off alcohol. He is off drugs. There is no desire to go back into that lifestyle,” Mr Grace said.

“He wants to go on with his life. He wants her to go on with her life.”