Ty Hewson: Abuser rubbed broken glass in woman’s face, court hears

A Tasmanian man has pleaded guilty to a horrific, “prolonged” assault on his partner, which occurred over a fortnight. His victim pleaded to the court to let the offender return home.

A Tasmanian man rubbed broken glass and his own blood into the face of his partner, in a horrific, “prolonged” assault which occurred during a fortnight of violence, a court has heard.

Norwood man Ty Hewson, 43, previously pleaded guilty in Launceston Magistrates Court to two counts of common assault and four of destroying property.

The offences occurred on various dates between August 13–29 this year at Mr Hewson and his partner’s home.

Further sentencing submissions were made before Magistrate Sharon Cure on Tuesday.

Police prosecutor Jack Fawdry urged the court to convict Hewson.

“It was a relatively significant assault, the circumstances of the assault against the complainant warrants conviction, it was not trivial or inconsequential,” Mr Fawdry said.

“She was assaulted in the family home, a place where a person is entitled to feel safe, her property was damaged without provocation.

“It was a relatively prolonged incident, the complainant suffered injuries to her face from glass. The defendant rubbed broken glass and his own blood over her face.

Norwood man Ty Hewson, 43. Picture: Facebook

“It deserves condemnation from the court.”

Mr Hewson told the court he had an appointment with Relationships Australia on Friday to address his behaviour. He said, since the assault, he had been unable to reside in the family home, which was causing financial distress.

Mr Hewson said he was crashing with a friend and paying him board.

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He said his partner, the complainant, had recently been served an eviction notice due to falling behind in rent. She was only saved homelessness by a loan from her parents, the court heard.

The complainant told Ms Cure that Mr Hewson’s assault on her was the first and only in a seven-year relationship.

Ms Cure said the sentencing exercise was delicate. On the one hand, the complainant had forgiven Mr Hewson and wanted him back in the family home. On the other, Mr Hewson had exposed members of his family to domestic violence and their interests needed to be protected.

She adjourned her decision to November 18.