A WAGGA man whose daughter witnessed some of his violent assault of her mother was told he would have to spend the rest of his life trying to make up to the child for what she had seen.
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The 43-year-old man – who has a history of domestic violence – was placed on a 10-month intensive correction order in Wagga Local Court on Monday after pleading guilty to common assault.
Agreed facts tendered to the court said the assault happened towards the end of a day that began with the man waking up with a hangover and drinking an alcoholic cider to make himself feel better.
He continued to drink alcohol throughout the day and became involved in row with his wife over finances and other issues in the evening.
The verbal row became violent about 7pm when the man took a swing at his wife, but she was able to duck the strike.
He then grabbed her hands and they wrestled, falling to the floor where the man punched his wife in the stomach three times, slapped her to both sides of the head and pulled her hair.
The couple’s young children, who earlier had been ushered outside the house as tensions between the adults rose, witnessed the end of the wrestle and ran to a neighbour, who contacted police.
The man’s solicitor, Zac Tankard, tendered a psychiatric report on the man and told magistrate Erin Kennedy about all the steps his client had taken to prevent a repeat of his behaviour, including staying off alcohol, seeking professional help and attending relationship counselling.
“He is making some pretty significant changes,” Mr Tankard said.
Mr Tankard said his client was horrified by what was contained in the facts sheet.
Ms Kennedy asked the man rhetorically in what world would it be okay for a man in the future to treat his daughter the way he had treated his wife.
Ms Kennedy told the man that from the references he produced it seemed he could control himself at work and he could control himself with his friends.
“So, why can’t you control yourself with your wife?” Ms Kennedy asked.
Ms Kennedy suggested it was because the man was physically bigger than his wife, and he had shown a total disrespect for her.
- Need help? Telephone the NSW domestic violence helpline on 1800 656463 (around the clock) or dial triple-0 in an emergency.