Kristopher Alan Howard pleads guilty to reckless conduct, assault

A magistrate has told a Norlane man who choked a woman on and off for three hours strangulation is “the most hideous example of family violence”.

Geelong Law Courts.

A Norlane sex offender who strangled a woman on and off for three hours has been jailed.

Kristopher Alan Howard, 31, appeared in the Geelong Magistrates Court on Thursday and pleaded guilty to a number of charges, including unlawful assault, reckless conduct endangering life and making a threat to kill.

Police prosecutor Leading Senior Constable Kerrie-Ann Moroney told the court in one instance in October 2023, Howard assaulted a woman as they lay in bed.

Over a three-hour period, Howard strangled the woman and threatened to kill her, with the assaults only coming to an end when Howard’s mother appeared and asked them to be quiet.

The court heard that during a scuffle on another occasion, the woman’s right little finger broke after it got caught in Howard’s dressing gown.

During the incident the accused verbally abused the complainant, pushed her onto his bed and bit her left cheek, the court heard.

Howard was arrested on March 13 and admitted to strangling the complainant.

Later that month, Howard grabbed the woman around the neck, grabbed her bag and pushed her against a campervan in another incident.

Howard represented himself during the hearing before magistrate Franz Holzer and initially asked for a sentence indication before pleading guilty.

He was supported by his mother and cousin in court, and the court heard his victim had written a letter to the court in support of Howard.

After hearing the summary of offending, Mr Holzer told Howard the offences would attract “a significant jail sentence” if proven at a contested hearing.

The on-off strangulation for three hours was the most worrying aspect, Mr Holzer said, adding he was concerned strangulation had been “normalised” for Howard.

“It’s the most hideous example of family violence, the most dangerous kind,” Mr Holzer said.

“There is a problem in our society in the way in which, largely men, interact with women … the only sensible indication I can give you is one of jail time.”

Howard told the court he had lost his temper during one of the incidents and had been drug-affected.

Mr Holzer asked when the last time Howard had used illicit substances was.

“Before I came here,” Howard replied.

Mr Holzer said he appreciated Howard’s honesty and asked if he wanted to seek further legal advice, but Howard said he knew he was headed to jail and opted to have the matter finalised.

“I’ve accepted my punishment for what I’ve done,” Howard said.

Mr Holzer commended Howard for the “direct, pragmatic and ultimately pretty sound” way he’d chosen to accept responsibility for his actions.

He jailed Howard for two months, warning him it would have been nine if he hadn’t pleaded guilty.

Mr Holzer said jail gave Howard an opportunity to kick illicit substances, do courses, “reflect … and hopefully not come back”.

Howard briefly embraced his mother before he was taken away by Corrections Victoria officers.

Originally published as Kristopher Alan Howard pleads guilty to reckless conduct, assault