John Charles Whelan, 42, of Cowra, came before the court on Thursday to face two assault charges, as well as breaching an apprehended violence order and possessing a knife in public.

Mr Whelan pleaded guilty to the charge of having a knife in public and not guilty to the other charges.

The charges that Mr Whelan pleaded not guilty to were set for hearing on Thursday; however, the hearing was adjourned as the alleged victim, who was subpoenaed to testify, was not present.

Police documents tendered in court state that the accused and victim had been in a de facto relationship for the past seven years.

There was an apprehended domestic violence order between them.

At the time, both lived in Cowra but stayed temporarily at their friend’s house in Kooringal while their friend was away in early 2018.

During their stay in Kooringal on January 12, 2018, Mr Whelan and the victim were arguing before Mr Whelan allegedly punched her a number of times at the premises.

In court on Thursday, Mr Whelan was fined $100 for having a knife at Warrawong Street, Kooringal, around the time of the incident.

Magistrate Christopher Halburd said that while the blade of the knife was small, Mr Whelan should not have had the knife in the first place.

Mr Halburd also considered Mr Whelan’s early guilty plea.

The hearing of the other charges is scheduled to come before Wagga Local Court again at a later date.

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