WAGGA LOCAL COURT
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AFTER Wagga man Justin Sharp punched his partner twice in the chest in May he was given a good behaviour bond.
For slapping, punching and kicking her in September, Sharp on Monday was given a suspended jail sentence.
The next time Sharp hurts the woman he will go into full-time custody, Wagga magistrate Michael Antrum warned.
After reading police facts about the September 7 attack, Mr Antrum described Sharp's actions as gutless.
"You would not treat a dog like that," Mr Antrum said.
The facts said that after 24-year-old Sharp and his partner quarrelled in a Mount Austin house they walked along a number of streets, with the woman pushing a pram.
When they reached Victoria Street, Sharp slapped the woman's face with the back of his hand.
On Jack Avenue, Sharp walked in front of the woman, turned to face her and then punched her twice to the left side of her face and once to the right side of her face.
"The victim fell to the ground," the police facts said.
"In response, the accused has kicked the victim twice to the left side of her body."
Police said the woman was able to get off the ground by striking Sharp in the groin.
They then traded punches before walking off in different directions.
The woman called triple-0 from a service station and just as police arrived so did Sharp, who admitted assaulting the woman.
Sharp's solicitor, PC Reddy, told the court his client's offences were linked to alcohol consumption.
Mr Reddy said Sharp was remorseful and had asked not to be given bail after his arrest because he felt he could not control himself.
He said Sharp spent 20 days in custody.
In his sentencing remarks, Mr Antrum likened the court to a train.
"If this was a train to the Junee Correctional Centre, this is the last stop," Mr Antrum said.
The magistrate told Sharp the next time he hurt the woman the train would take him all the way to the Junee jail.
"If you can't control your anger then take a big, deep breath and walk in the opposite direction," Mr Antrum told Sharp.
Sharp was given a 10-month suspended jail sentence after pleading guilty to the September 7 assault.
The good behaviour bond for the May 28 assault was revoked and in its place Sharp was given a seven-month suspended jail sentence.