A MAN who assaulted and threatened his estranged wife in front of their two-year-old child has been sentenced for the “unjustified, horrific attack”.
Rory Andrew Cox, 26, was sentenced to a 12-month community corrections order in Ballarat Magistrates Court yesterday.
As part of the order, Cox must carry out 150 hours of community work and receive treatment for drug and alcohol problems.
Magistrate Peter Couzens said it was shocking behaviour that almost warranted a jail term.
“It was an interaction which was violent, was totally unprovoked and totally unjustified, especially in circumstances where your child was present,” Mr Couzens said.
“This was an appalling episode Mr Cox, and there’s no excuse or justification for it.
“It was an unjustified, horrific attack on her.”
But Mr Couzens decided not to jail Cox, taking into account his remorse, lack of priors and his early guilty plea.
On Monday the Daylesford man pleaded guilty to recklessly causing injury and wilfully damaging property.
On that occasion, the court heard that Cox and his estranged wife were at home last August when an argument unfolded and Cox was asked to leave.
But he didn’t, instead moving to the back of the house where he slammed a door on the woman’s left foot.
Cox then tipped bong water over her, grabbed her by the throat and bit her fingers when she tried to break free.
He eventually left the house and then returned, banging on walls before smashing a window just as police arrived.