Orange, New South Wales – A woman in central west New South Wales resorted to hiding in a paddock to call for help after facing a brutal attack from her boyfriend. The 32-year-old farm manager pleaded guilty to two counts of domestic violence assault, admitting to pushing his girlfriend through a glass window, dragging her by the hair, and repeatedly jumping on her while insisting, “I love you, everything will be alright.”
Magistrate David Day, presiding over the case in Orange Local Court, remarked that the assault was exceptionally severe and violent. He highlighted the prevalence of domestic violence in rural areas, emphasizing that rates of such incidents are significantly higher in the countryside than in urban regions.
According to police documents presented in court, the assault unfolded on an isolated property on a Sunday when the couple engaged in a heated argument. The situation escalated quickly, with the man physically assaulting the woman, eventually pushing her through a window and causing it to shatter.
During the horrific ordeal, which lasted for about 15 minutes, the man proceeded to drag the woman around by her hair, repeatedly slamming her face into bathroom tiles, and mercilessly jumping on her. Despite her attempts to call emergency services, her phone was snatched away by the perpetrator, leaving her with no choice but to hide in a nearby paddock to seek assistance.
As the court denied bail for the accused, concerns were raised about the safety of the victim, given the vicious and prolonged nature of the assault. The man, responsible for overseeing employees and millions of dollars worth of livestock, had no prior history of violence, as revealed during his bail application.
Police prosecutor Chris Brien firmly opposed bail, underscoring the severity of the assault, while Magistrate Day highlighted the gravity of the situation and the implications of domestic violence in the region. The court proceedings painted a grim picture of the incident, shedding light on the prevalence of such offenses in both rural and urban areas.
With the case adjourned until August 7th, the victim’s condition serves as a stark reminder of the urgent need to address the issue of domestic violence and provide support and resources for those affected by such heinous acts. The availability of services like the National Sexual Assault, Domestic Family Violence Counselling Service (1800RESPECT) offers a lifeline for victims seeking help and safety in similar situations.