A farm manager has had his prison sentence reduced for a brutal attack on his girlfriend, during which he choked and assaulted her over three and a half hours on an isolated property in central-west NSW in June 2024. The 32-year-old, who cannot be named for the victim’s protection, pleaded guilty to assault and choking without consent. He violently overpowered her during the incident, preventing her from calling for help by taking her phone after pushing her through a glass window and dragging her by the hair.
After the assault, the woman managed to hide in a paddock where she called the police. Initially sentenced to four years with a three-year non-parole period, he successfully appealed for a lesser sentence, resulting in a total of 32 months with a two-year non-parole period. The judge acknowledged the seriousness of his actions but noted his potential for rehabilitation, emphasising the unacceptability of domestic violence within the community.
The victim described the terror she felt hiding from her attacker, sharing that her struggle for survival continues in daily life. The man is eligible for parole in June 2026. Support services for those affected by domestic violence are available through various channels, including 1800RESPECT.