'It's another example of this town's propensity towards domestic violence'
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Magistrate David Day once again expressed his exasperation that most of the Mudgee Local Court list typically comprises domestic violence offences.
A Mudgee man was fined $550 and sentenced to a 12-month Community Corrections Order, for the charge 'Assault occasioning actual bodily harm (DV)'.
At about 9pm on Saturday, December 21, 2019, the 49-year-old man and the victim got into an argument, during which he - without aiming - threw a glass that hit her in the face below her left eye, causing a cut.
Magistrate Day reflected on how the incident could've been worse, and how it was nearly a more serious charge, when he said, "had it'd have been closer it would've been 'Reckless wounding'".
And added that it was "a drunken domestic violence incident from a man who can control his drinking, because he's [tested for alcohol for work]".
In a separate matter before court, a 32-year-old Mudgee man was sentenced to a 12-month CCO with a condition that he complete rehabilitation, for domestic charges of intimidation and destroying/damaging property.
The man appeared in court via Audio-Visual Link having been refused bail since the day after the incident on Saturday, June 8, 2019.
At about 10.50pm he called the victim, who was at her home and she could hear him talking outside. He began yelling at her and she said she wouldn't let him inside the house unless he was civilised.
The man threw a glass bottle through the lounge room window, which caused a laceration to his hand, and the police were called and located him after following drips of blood.
Magistrate Day did note that the defendant seeking help for his problems predated this incident and said, "it wasn't these matters that lead to him seeking treatment for his issues - unlike many who come before this court".
Upon completion of the domestic violence offences within the day's list - which at Mudgee Local Court are heard together as a section - his honour held up the files for the remaining matters, that appeared significantly smaller.
"It's another example of this town's propensity towards domestic violence," he said, reiterating his point about the disproportionately high rate of that type of crime locally.
And when sentencing the 49-year-old man, Magistrate Day said, "a message needs to be sent to the community that there's far too much domestic violence west of the mountains - particularly in the Central West".
- If you or someone you know is experiencing violence, call 1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732) for advice or support, this free, confidential service is open 24/7. In an emergency, call the police on 000, all incidents of violence should be reported. For urgent support call Lifeline 13 11 14.