A WAGGA man who repeatedly punched and choked his father, causing him to lose consciousness, has narrowly avoided a custodial sentence.
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Grant Norman Budde, 36, of Springvale, appeared in Wagga Local Court on Monday on charges of intentionally choking a person and assault occasioning actual bodily harm.
Budde, who is currently unemployed, had pleaded guilty to the charges and will serve the 11-month prison sentence via an intensive corrections order.
Police documents tendered to the court state that the incident began on February 14 this year when Budde, on his way home, received a text message from his father in which he accused his son of taking things from his freezer.
Once Budde got home, he and his father began arguing at the driveway before it escalated into a physical altercation where Budde dragged his father to the ground.
There, he punched his father in the chest several times before choking him, causing him to lose consciousness for several seconds.
It was only when a witness at the premises yelled for Budde to stop because she thought he was going to kill him that Budde finally let go.
His father was left wearing a neck brace after being taken to hospital.
In court on Monday, defence lawyer David Barron argued for leniency based on Budde's schizophrenia and remorse.
"This incident scared his whole family ... he apologises to his whole family," Mr Barron said.
He said the incident resulted in his client taking initiative to seek counselling.
Magistrate Christopher Halburd reminded Budde about how serious the incident was.
"Your dad would've been terrified, your whole family would've been scared," Mr Halburd said.
"But this is really out of character for you."
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