Jenson Mununggurr jailed, NT Judge lashes perpetrators ‘not getting the message’
A man who drunkenly lashed out at his partner in broad daylight has recorded his eighth conviction for aggravated assault, with a local judge using the opportunity to take aim at violent men who are ‘simply not getting the message’. Details.
A local judge says the Northern Territory is in the midst of a “domestic violence endemic”, with a woman basher landing himself in jail after racking up his eighth conviction for aggravated assault.
On Monday morning, Jenson Mununggurr was among the dozens of in-custody defendants who appeared at Darwin Local Court.
Mununggurr pleaded guilty to bashing his partner in broad daylight just 48 hours earlier.
A Moulden resident, Mununggurr spent his Saturday afternoon in Darwin City where he was drinking alcohol with his partner.
The court heard that after becoming drunk, the couple began arguing about “jealousy issues” on Knuckey Street before the altercation turned violent.
After exchanging heated words, Mununggurr slapped his partner in the face and shoved her.
Police were notified of the incident and went looking for Mununggurr who they eventually found in a park.
The court heard he made admissions to the police officers and made “no attempt to shy away” of his offending.
Judge Steven Ledek noted Mununggurr’s rationale for assaulting his partner.
“He was so intoxicated that he was slurring his speech, swaying and staggering as he walked,” he said.
“However, he was capable of knowing what it was that police were arresting him for and (he) explained why he slapped her in the face – because she’d been ‘talking shit to his family’ – hardly a worthy reason for anybody to lay his hands on anyone else.”
The court also heard the latest incident would be Mununggurr’s eighth conviction for aggravated assault.
“We are in the middle of a domestic violence endemic,” Judge Ledek said.
“It is everywhere we turn – in our homes, on our streets, in our communities.
“And the men who perpetrate these crimes are simply not getting the message.”
Judge Ledek said offenders needed to realise that jail was “the only place” they would go if they didn’t make use of the tools and opportunities previously provided to them by way of suspended sentences and court orders.
Mununggurr was sentenced to three weeks imprisonment backdated to October 11.
A domestic violence order was also imposed.
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Originally published as Jenson Mununggurr jailed, NT Judge lashes perpetrators ‘not getting the message’
