Ross Murdoch had been charged with a domestic incident in May 2018. The AVO was finalised that October and put in place for two years, it contained a condition that he not approach the Person In Need Of Protection (PINOP) or their residence within 12 hours of consuming alcohol.

On Friday, April 10, 2020, the 44-year-old was at the PINOP's house when - due to his behaviour - she began to suspect he'd been drinking. He was told to leave and did so, however soon returned and parked his vehicle across the driveway and began playing loud music.

Initially she ignored this. But after he rang the doorbell repeatedly for two minutes, the police were called.

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The next day, police were again contacted about a vehicle known to belong to Murdoch, they went to the PINOP's house and found it and him outside. They noted that he smelled of alcohol and had difficulty standing.

The defendant's solicitor, Richard Wise, said to the court "I've told Mr Murdoch that he's had the benefit of a CCO", noting that these matters occurred just outside the expiration of an earlier order. Magistrate David Day suggested to Mr Wise that there was a common theme among the offending.

"It's just that your client drinks a lot and looking at his record a large part - if not all of it - involves alcohol," he said. But added this was mitigated by "his realisation that he drinks to excess" and that he's sought help.