Mark Watkins: Tasmanian DV terror guilty of 40 vile offences

A Tasmanian abuser, insecure over the thought of being cheated on, bashed his then-partner repeatedly, checked her phone constantly, and made her prove where she was.

A Tasmanian man committed a vile, three-month spree of violence and control against his then-partner, repeatedly assaulting her, forcing her to hand over her phone to be checked, verbally abusing her and making her prove to him where she was.

Devonport man Mark Anthony Watkins, 31, previously pleaded guilty to, or was found on Wednesday in Launceston Magistrates Court guilty of, 40 offences, 38 of which related to domestic violence against the woman.

They included deprivation of liberty, multiple counts of common assault, emotional abuse or intimidation, and dozens of counts of breaching a police family violence order.

Devonport man Mark Anthony Watkins, 31. Picture: Facebook

The court heard the offending of Watkins, a disability support pensioner due to a brain injury, acquired in 2009, was committed between September 5 – November 29 last year.

Magistrate Simon Brown, delivering his decision on the charges Watkins had pleaded not guilty to, said the genesis of Watkins’ vile abuse was an irrational fear of infidelity.

“(The relationship) was marked by constant queries and allegations and concerns by the defendant as to whether the complainant was unfaithful,” Mr Brown said.

“It became controlling... (he would) monitor what tasks she did, such as taking the kids to school.

“It spilt over into further controlling behaviour, including an allegation the defendant was unhappy the complainant was not in his physical presence as much as possible.”

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Watkins controlled his partner by demanding her phone and password for regular device checks, calling her and messaging her constantly throughout the day, and making her video chat to prove she was alone in their home.

He also denigrated her by calling her names.

Physically, he assaulted the woman in a number of ways, including by climbing on top of her and restraining her by the wrists, striking her to the nose, pulling her hair, squeezing her thighs, kicking her feet and pushing her.

Mr Brown said Watkins, who previously gave evidence, was an “appalling witness”, who constantly tried to “minimise” his own behaviour.

Defence lawyer Andrew Lonergan said his client, who was remanded in pre-sentence custody from November 30 last year to May 20 on the current offences, had not committed any further offending in the five months he had been in the community.

He had also repartnered – his new girlfriend supported him in court – and had extensive responsibilities for the care of his children and his partner’s children.

Mr Lonergan said Watkins’ previous relationship was “profoundly toxic” and he “recognises now (his ex) did not reserve to be treated the way she was”.

Mr Brown adjourned his decision on sentence to November 4.