A 41-YEAR old man was held in custody for three months before appearing in Collie Magistrate’s Court last week to defend charges of assault and disorderly conduct.
Christopher Hart had been in custody since April 19.
Hart was fined a total of $500, with costs of $66, and was required to enter into an intensive 12 month supervision order.
Police prosecutor Snr Sgt Barry Phelps said that at about 8.30pm on March 10, Hart pushed his partner onto a bed frame during an argument. She sustained cuts and bruises to her face.
A second assault charge was the result of of an incident about a month later after Hart’s partner abused Hart’s mother, Snr Sgt Phelps said. On this occasion, Hart pushed his partner and her head hit a table.
On April 19 Hart swore repeatedly at a bus stop, in Bunbury, and yelled at police officers who had arrived to investigate. He was charged with disorderly conduct.
The defendant’s legal representative said “alcohol seems to be the nemesis” of the charges and that Mr Hart was willing to receive support.
Magistrate Heaney addressed Hart’s partner, who had attended the hearing, saying he could only charge Hart on the basis she had been injured after falling rather than on the fact he had struck her.
