A HORSHAM man who grabbed his ex-partner's throat has been sentenced to a suspended jail term.
Glenn Simon Johnston pleaded guilty in Horsham Magistrate's Court on Wednesday to several offences including having recklessly caused injury, criminal damage and having breached an intervention order.
Johnston initially wanted to contest all charges but changed his mind after Magistrate Jack Vandersteen warned him that his throat-grabbing was not a defensive action.
Mr Vandersteen convicted and jailed Johnston for four months, wholly suspended for 12 months, and fined him $1000.
Police prosecutor Leading Senior Constable David Cosgriff told the court that Johnston's victim was his former partner and the offences occurred in February and July 2012.
Leading Sen Const Cosgriff said there were several instances where Johnston verbally abused and threatened the woman, including calling her obscene names.
He said Johnston had slapped his partner's face so she fell over, pushed her into a wall, grabbed her throat, sent her 13 abusive text messages and broke a laptop.
The woman grabbed Johnston's genitals during one attack until he freed her.
Leading Sen Const Cosgriff said Johnston's partner was frightened and was granted an intervention order against Johnston on April 14, which he breached.
Defence solicitor Nick Graham said his client had been in a tumultuous, long-term relationship with his then partner.
Mr Graham said Johnston acknowledged that he had raised his voice against his partner, slapped her and punched a computer, which he owned.
He said Johnston was a valued employee of a trucking company.
Mr Vandersteen said family violence was a serious issue and superior courts had advised that jail was appropriate for such violence.
He said the throat-grabbing incident elevated the seriousness of Johnston's offending.
"If Mr Johnston had run this matter it would have gone against him," Mr Vandersteen said.
"Mr Johnston, this was a destructive relationship for you both.
"Unfortunately you could not control your temper.
"You should have walked away rather than going hands-on.
"There are always two sides to the story but everyone has a tripping point.
''You can't just snap."
