A magistrate has labelled a man's offending against his sister as 'particularly nasty' and aggravated because he intentionally chose to damage a possession she valued highly.
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The 23-year-old man, who The Courier has chosen not to name to protect the victim's identity, pleaded guilty to jumping up and down on his sister's car in anger, causing damage.
The Ballarat Magistrates' Court heard he threatened to stab her before he headbutted her to the right eye, causing her to fall to the ground and experience immediate swelling.
The aggravating feature is the accused damaged the vehicle knowing it was a possession she valued highly.
- Magistrate Noreen Toohey
The victim drove herself to hospital and made a report to the Ballarat Police Station two days later.
The accused told police he intentionally headbutted the victim and he caused damage to her car because he knew it was a possession she valued highly.
The court heard on Wednesday the accused had a prior criminal history including criminal damage and unlawful assault.
Magistrate Noreen Toohey said this was 'particularly nasty' offending.
"The aggravating feature is the accused damaged the vehicle knowing it was a possession she valued highly," she said.
"It is not painting a very good picture of him."
Defence lawyer Andrew Madden said there was antagonism within the family relating to their grandmother's legacy.
He said the accused was paying for the damage to the car and had sought assistance from a counsellor and the Orange Door which referred him to a men's behaviour change program.
Mr Madden said a community corrections order was an appropriate sentence.
Ms Toohey said she was particularly concerned to read the accused had increased his alcohol intake to one litre of rum every few days.
"He is developing a pattern," she said.
"That pattern is damaging property and assaulting people."
The accused will be assessed for a community corrections order and will return to court in February for sentencing.
"I want to make it plain to him he is a whisker away from a jail term," Ms Toohey said.
"If he engages in any other matters of violence that is what is going to happen."
The accused is currently on bail.
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Rochelle Kirkham
Rochelle covers court and has a particular interest in social issues including homelessness, food security and family violence.
Rochelle covers court and has a particular interest in social issues including homelessness, food security and family violence.
