AN Ararat man has been sentenced to six months in jail for family violence offences.
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Stephen John King, 50, appeared in Horsham Magistrates' Court on July 31 for sentencing.
He previously pleaded guilty to recklessly causing injury, criminal damage and contravening a family violence order.
Detective Senior Constable Williams told the court last month that King sent abusive text messages to his former partner, a western Victoria woman, on June 13.
On another occasion, the woman picked up King on June 19 to take him to court. On the way, King threw the woman's mobile phone out the window. The victim stopped the car and they both got out.
Detective Senior Constable Williams said King punched the victim in the mouth and headbutted her.
King told the court on Wednesday that he knew he had done the wrong thing. He said the 48 days he had spent in custody had been "hell".
Magistrate Julie Grainger said she had taken into account King's guilty plea and mental health issues when determining the sentence.
"I've also taken into account your long and significant criminal history - despite time in prison in the past, you have not been deterred from offending again," she said.
"You have little insight into the impact your actions have on the victim - the impact on her is horrendous."
Ms Grainger said she was prepared to give King another chance so he could receive treatment and rehabilitation for mental health, alcohol and drug issues.
"However, I'm not satisfied the 48 days you've spent in custody is enough," she said.
She sentenced King to six months in prison.
She also ordered that he complete an 18-month community corrections order upon release.
King asked Ms Grainger to also include unpaid community work in the order. She included 50 hours.
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