A YOUNG Mount Gambier man who unleashed a violent barrage on his girlfriend because she planned to use his new vehicle has been shown leniency by the court.
Joel Mark Madsen, 19, appeared in the Mount Gambier Magistrates Court to be sentenced for two counts of assault and one count of property damage.
The prosecution said on November 15, Madsen was purchased a new car by his mother.
The following day, the defendant’s girlfriend planned to take the vehicle for a drive with the rest of Madsen’s family.
Madsen was asleep and when his girlfriend went to tell him they were taking the vehicle he became enraged.
He ran at his girlfriend and punched her in the ribs.
The court heard he then tackled her and punched her several times in the body and head.
Eventually the victim and the rest of the family vacated the house.
The victim waited in the gutter, while family members went to notify police of the incident.
Madsen then came outside the house and kicked the victim in the hip.
The defendant fled the house and when the family returned they noticed a glass panel had been smashed in the dining room.
Police located Madsen a short distance away with small cuts on his hand.
Madsen revealed he had been going through a tough time when the offending occurred.
“I hardly left the house because people had threatened to bash me,” he said.
“They thought I’d stole some stuff off them, which I did not.”
He revealed he had since been seeing a counsellor at headspace and was making some progress with his mental health.
Magistrate Teresa Anderson said the assaults were “very nasty”.
“I have been thinking about whether a term of imprisonment needs to be imposed,” Magistrate Anderson said.
She cited the defendant’s young age and lack of adult criminal history as good reason to show leniency on this occasion.
Madsen was convicted and placed on a $500, 12 month good behaviour bond.
He is also required to complete 100 hours of community service within six months.
