A man has avoided a sentence of imprisonment for using violence and intimidation to control his partner.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Chayne Davey-Howard, 39, damaged his partner's car by kicking it in a rage during an argument and slashed and punctured its four tyres.
The Ballarat Magistrates' Court heard he threatened to burn the house down during an argument about who would do the dishes.
He splashed highly flammable paint thinner throughout the house and held a lighter to make the threat to set it on fire.
It is important this court makes it very plain these choices are to be denounced.
- Magistrate Ron Saines
Magistrate Ron Saines said he viewed the offending as acts of control and intimidation and examples of domestic violence.
"However much you were unhappy with the relationship and her conduct, this offending is your choice to use violence and intimidation to control her," he said.
"It is important this court makes it very plain these choices are to be denounced."
Mr Saines said Davey-Howard had a history of family violence committed against different women.
The court heard he has previously served periods of imprisonment for other domestic violence incidents, including physical attack against another partner causing facial injuries.
Mr Saines said Davey-Howard had been in jail eight times since 2007.
"These circumstances and this history constitutes strong grounds for another term of imprisonment," he said.
"Messages of denunciation and emphasis on deterrence are most important."
Davey-Howard's defence counsel submitted his early plea of guilty, the absence of physical violence and direct harm and his vision impairment close to total blindness were factors that deserve leniency.
Mr Saines said he took these factors into account but also acknowledged there was a significant level of fear and intimidation in Davey-Howard's conduct.
Davey-Howard was sentenced to an 18-month community corrections order with drug and alcohol treatment and supervision requirements.
He was fined a total of $2000.
"You have been given a number of opportunities in terms of non custodial orders," Mr Saines said.
If you are seeing this message you are a loyal digital subscriber to The Courier, as we made this story available only to subscribers. Thank you very much for your support and allowing us to continue telling Ballarat's story. We appreciate your support of journalism in our great city.