A woman collapsed and vomited blood before becoming unresponsive under the care of paramedics after her former partner assaulted her, a court has heard.
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Paul Bradley, 33, had an argument with the victim at his Scarsdale home and followed her when she tried to leave.
He said: "you have accused me of being a woman basher and putting me through hell, I may as well do it".
The victim has no memory of what happened next but her injuries indicated she was struck to the face multiple times causing fractures and bruising.
She also had bruises on her legs and arms.
The Ballarat Magistrates' Court heard the victim was driven to her mother's house where she collapsed, started to vomit blood in the shower and her mother called an ambulance.
The victim became unresponsive and coughed up blood when paramedics arrived.
Bradley was arrested and police found he was on bail for driving offences.
If you are going to drive again, can you do me a favour and drive straight to Port Phillip Prison because that is where you are going to end up.
- Magistrate John Bentley
Magistrate John Bentley said Bradley had an 'appalling' driving record.
The court heard Bradley was caught driving an unregistered car without a licence in June 2019 and his car was impounded.
In May 2020, he was caught drug driving in Smythesdale and in July 2020 he was intercepted while driving unlicensed again and refused a breath test and oral fluid test.
He was seen driving unlicensed again a month later and admitted to police he had never had a drivers' licence and had given up trying to get one.
Bradley spent 248 days in custody before being granted bail.
He pleaded guilty to intentionally causing injury and the driving offences on Thursday.
Defence barrister Rishi Nathwani said Bradley had issues in his life with work and his children and he was willing to complete a community corrections order to aid his rehabilitation.
Mr Bentley said Bradley did not have a good attitude and had been found unsuitable for a community corrections order but he needed the support.
Bradley was sentenced to 258 days'imprisonment time already served and a 15 month community corrections order.
He will undergo assessment and treatment for drug and alcohol use and mental health issues.
Bradley will be required to complete offending behaviour programs including men's behaviour change and road trauma awareness.
He was fined $900 and will be disqualified from driving for six years.
"He is driving a vehicle with drugs in his system in the country," Mr Bentley said.
"We know about higher fatalities in the country and it is because of people like him. He put other people at considerable risk.
"If you are going to drive again, can you do me a favour and drive straight to Port Phillip Prison because that is where you are going to end up."
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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.
