A man who punched his mother's roommate five times to the head said he did so to 'teach him a lesson' not to hurt his mother, a court has heard.
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The man, who The Courier has chosen not to name to protect the identity of his mother, pleaded guilty at the Ballarat Magistrates' Court on Thursday to intentionally causing injury.
Crown prosecutor Michelle Zammitt said the man knocked loudly on the door of his mother's Wendouree house, where the victim also rents a room, before storming through on February 24, 2020.
The court heard the man pulled the victim over the back of the couch to the ground, punched him to the face and said 'you hurt my mother'.
He then punched the victim another five times to the head before his mother intervened and he left the house.
Police arrived at the house and the victim was taken to hospital.
The victim suffered swelling and bruising to the face.
Family violence is really difficult to deal with, particularly where people don't acknowledge it or seek assistance, but this isn't the way to deal with it.
- Magistrate Noreen Toohey
Ms Zammit said the man's mother told police she felt her son would have killed the victim if she did not intervene.
When arrested, the man admitted to entering the house with the intention to cause injury.
He told police he punched the victim because he wanted the man to stop hitting his mother.
Defence lawyer Andrew Madden said his client was arrested on February 27 and remained in custody until March 4 when he was granted bail with the Court Integrated Services Program.
Mr Madden said it was conceded jail was a possible sentence but asked the magistrate to consider a community corrections order.
"He remains concerned about his mother but understands he can't take these actions to protect her," he said.
Mr Madden said the man's mother was unwilling to report the violence by her roommate to the police and his client became angry and attacked the victim, feeling it was a way to protect her.
Magistrate Noreen Toohey said the man needed to understand he could not behave in this manner, even in the difficult circumstances.
"This is clearly a serious incident. It is a matter where you thought you were assisting your mother by intervening," she said.
"Family violence is really difficult to deal with, particularly where people don't acknowledge it or seek assistance, but this isn't the way to deal with it.
"Your mother can avail herself of services, she is going to have to reach out.
"Ultimately, it is a matter for you mum."
The man was sentenced to a 15-month community corrections order with requirements with requirements he undergo alcohol and mental health treatment and assessment and offending behaviour programs.
Help is available, call 1800 RESPECT.
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