A MAN who claimed he had a “misunderstanding” with his girlfriend, smashing a loungeroom window before grabbing her around the throat, has been convicted and ordered to undertake a course in managing domestic violence.
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John Frank Glover, 20 of Nurse Fox Place in Oberon, appeared before Magistrate Bruce Williams in Bathurst Local Court.
His solicitor Rayna Pettit said her client had a limited record and had “never been to court for something like this”.
She said Glover had a fourmonth-old daughter and had prospects of reconciliation with his partner. She asked the court to consider a bond with supervision, requesting Glover complete the domestic violence program.
She said Glover didn’t agree with the facts, but said this behaviour should not have taken place. However, Mr Williams said he did not share Glover’s view that it was a “misunderstanding” between him and his girlfriend.
“If you had any other matters of violence on your record you would be looking at jail today,” Magistrate Williams
said. “She asks for help you fly into a rage throw things about, argue, demean, threaten and then attack her.
“If that’s your view of a misunderstanding you need a major readjustment and if it has to be jail then that’s what will happen, are we clear on that?” he said.
Police facts tendered to the court told how on January 6 this year Glover went to a friends house to have a couple of drinks. The victim asked if he could be home by 5pm to assist with their child.
When Glover failed to return, the victim tried to phone but he wouldn’t answer, she then saw Glover tagged on Facebook with friends and she asked him to come home in a post.
Later Glover returned home with his friends and after seeing the victim’s post on Facebook said “Shut up [expletive] or I will smash this bottle over your head”.
The accused continued drinking until leaving at 7.30pm with his dog. At 9pm Glover was at a party down the road, yelling out “I’m on speed and I’m loving it”.
He then returned to the victim’s house and began kicking the door yelling “let me in or you’re all dead”.
The victim opened the door and demanded Glover leave, but he grabbed the victim by the throat forcing her to fall backward onto the ground. She stood up and he grabbed her again.
The victim was able to get back inside the house and rang triple zero and while on the phone Glover punched the loungeroom window.
Mr Williams convicted Glover on both common assault and maliciously destroy property. For the assault matter he was fined $400 and $83 in court costs, given a Section 9 Bond for 12 months and placed under the supervision of probation and parole. He must attend a domestic violence course.