A Ballarat man has pleaded guilty after assaulting his sister with a heavy flashlight over a take-away meal, causing her to be hospitalised.
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The man, who The Courier has decided not to name to protect the identity of the victim, appeared in the Ballarat Magistrates’ Court on Monday.
Police prosecutor Leading Senior Constable Clint Prebble told the court on March 9 last year, the 19-year-old was at his father’s house in Mount Pleasant where his sister was handing out take-away food to her family.
He said the man became suddenly outraged and “took a security torch off a nearby table, striking the victim on the back of her head and shoulders a number of times”.
The court heard the 17-year-old victim tried to protect her face and body by putting her hands up, being hit 10 times before witnesses intervened.
The injured teenager attended Ballarat Base Hospital with a bloody gash to her head, significant bruising and swelling and a broken finger. Photographs of the injuries were shown to Magistrate Letizia Torres during the hearing.
Leading Senior Constable Prebble said on June 22, while at a Wendouree address, the Ballarat man was again sharing take-away with his family.
The victim asked if he had purchased a burger for her, with the guilty man telling the teen the food was “not f**king for you”, before asking, “Are you ready to go again?” while clenching his fists.
The victim told police she was afraid the man would repeat the March assault.
Defence lawyer Adrian Paull told the court his client had experienced “30 seconds of incandescent rage”, but had no prior convictions, no alcohol or drug issues, and was supported in court by his parents.
“It was a serious incident resulting a nasty injury, but (my client) was very freaked out,” Mr Paull said.
“He told police, 'I might not have stopped if someone hadn't intervened,' saying things contrary to his interest.
“(My client) started treatment through a psychologist so he learns to be better, and he’s starting to do those things to stay out of trouble.”
Ms Torres told the court it was clear the man had “lost control” and she was “quite concerned” about his temper at a young person, but accepted the defence argument that the man had a good track record and recommended anger management courses.
The man received a Community Corrections Order.