A MAN has been sent to jail for failing numerous times to engage with court-ordered community services after punching a woman multiple times last year.
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Mount Austin's Mark Whyman, 19, appeared in Wagga Local Court on Monday after he had pleaded guilty to common assault.
In March 2018, he was convicted and placed on a two-year community service order for the offence.
Documents tendered to the court state that Whyman and the victim had an argument before he yelled abusive words at her.
He then pushed her before punching her in the face a number of times before the police were called. The victim sustained a graze to her left elbow and complained about soreness to the back of her head.
On Monday, the court heard he failed to obey directions and conditions of the order, which included counselling and drug and alcohol rehabilitation programs.
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Magistrate Anthony Murray said that "unfortunately the non-custodial options the court's exercised have now been exhausted".
"The defendant has a very poor record in respect of the need for him to comply with the non-custodial penalty that the court has imposed," Mr Murray said.
"Part of those conditions were designed to help you address the various problems that you have."
Mr Murray said there were findings of special circumstances for Whyman, particularly in relation to his age and need for rehabilitation.
He warned Whyman about breaching conditions of parole should it be approved.
"If you breach [parole conditions], quite clearly I don't think you'd be spending Christmas with your family."
Earlier in the hearing, defence solicitor Laura Melhuish argued for leniency based on Whyman's age, mental health issues, troubled upbringing and prohibited drug addiction.
"Specific deterrence can be achieved by a very short period in custody followed by a lengthy period on parole, which would satisfy the sentencing goals of rehabilitation and reintegration in the community," she said.
Ms Melhuish said further exposure to the criminal justice system "is going to ultimately be detrimental" to Whyman and would not help him become "a pro-social member of our society".
The prosecution chose not to be heard during the sentencing hearing.
Whyman was sentenced to eight months' jail and will be eligible for parole on November 6 this year.