A Wagga man has been jailed for assaulting a woman by punching and throwing a can of bourbon and hammer at her.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
David Michael Grentell, 40, of Kooringal appeared in Wagga Local Court on Monday where he was sentenced to nine months' jail after being convicted of common assault related to domestic violence.
Grentell, a casual labourer, had pleaded guilty and was helped by an Auslan interpreter via video link in court due to his hearing impairment.
He also faced a stalking and intimidation charge, which was dismissed.
Police documents tendered to the court state that the incident happened in November 2018 in a shed at the house occupied by Grentell and the victim, who were in a relationship.
After an argument between the pair got heated, Grentell slapped the victim's face and head several times with his hands.
As Grentell has a hearing disability, the argument between the two was entirely in sign language.
The victim then attempted to defend herself by slapping Grentell, who then punched the victim several more times to the left side of the jaw and head.
The police documents state that the victim felt helpless, exceptionally fearful for her life due to the dramatic escalation of violence by Grentell.
At this point, the victim said she felt that "something wasn't right" and that she "was starting to feel petrified".
Grentell then picked up a can of bourbon and a hammer and threw them at the victim, striking her ribs and right forearm.
The victim went to hospital the next day.
In court on Monday, defence solicitor Maria Wallis argued for an intensive correction order.
Ms Wallis said the assault needed to be considered in the context of her client's hearing impairment and exposure to drugs and alcohol as a child.
"His behaviour is completely inappropriate, but in context it does shed some light perhaps about what has happened," Ms Wallis said.
"Up until the age of 10, domestic violence was frequent.
"Alcohol abuse was a factor.
"Speaking to him, across the past nine years, he has addressed some of those issues."
Ms Wallis also said the death of Grentell's partner from a previous relationship has had an impact on him as well, leaving him to be the sole carer of his seven-year-old daughter.
The court also heard about his alcohol consumption in which he has attended rehabilitation programs for.
However, magistrate Christopher Halburd said while he accepted Grentell's hardships and his early guilty plea, he said the "only appropriate penalty is one of full-time custody".
"There was no injury amounting to actual bodily harm ... but it's not the harm that takes this above the mid-range of objective seriousness for this type of matter," he said.
"I note that the defendant previously received a custodial penalty in relation to domestic violence many years ago."
Grentell will be eligible for release on August 17, 2019.
Read more court and crime news
While you're with us, did you know that you can now receive updates straight to you inbox each day at 6am from the Daily Advertiser? To make sure you're up to date with all the Wagga news sign up here.