A MAN who slapped his partner in a drunken attack has received a 14-day suspended jail sentence.
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William McKenna, 40, of Timor Street, Warrnambool, pleaded guilty in the Warrnambool Magistrates Court to two charges of unlawful assault , three counts of failing to answer bail and one count of wilful damage and possessing and using cannabis.
On top of the suspended jail sentence, McKenna was convicted and fined $1250.
Police alleged that on Sunday officers were called to the Royal Hotel where the couple were staying. They had been in a relationship since February.
At 4.30pm McKenna had been drinking alcohol and had consumed three-quarters of a bottle of vodka and other spirits. The couple argued over relationship issues and by 6.30pm McKenna went to the bar and got more alcohol.
McKenna continued drinking, he became enraged and slapped the victim across the face, knocking off and breaking her glasses and leaving her shaken and upset.
In May McKenna and the same woman went to Mildura seeking employment. At 6.30pm on May 14 they booked into a caravan park where McKenna smoked two pipes of cannabis.
About 11pm they argued about text messages she received on her mobile phone and McKenna slapped the woman to her face, again knocking off her glasses.
He was bailed to appear in the Mildura court on June 12 but failed to appear and then subsequently failed to front for two other court dates in Melbourne.
McKenna has significant prior convictions in Tasmania.
The woman has now taken out an intervention order against him preventing contact between them.
Defence counsel Xavier Farrelly said the couple had a tumultuous relationship and they argued when at least one of them was affected by alcohol.
He said McKenna had sought to remove himself from situations twice, although admittedly not before he slapped her.
Magistrate Michael Coghlan warned McKenna if he continued offending he would spend more time in jail.