A MAN who bashed another man during an ongoing neighbourhood dispute about contact between their children has been fined $1200 in Warrnambool Magistrates Court.
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Aaron Smits, 30, of Elizabeth Street, Port Fairy, pleaded guilty to intentionally causing injury on November 21, last year at Port Fairy.
Leading Senior Constable Nathan Brown said Smits had gone to the victim’s home and the two had a verbal argument.
Smits had headbutted the victim and punched him to the head and face before he was dragged off the victim by another person.
The attack was witnessed by the victim’s 10-year-old stepson.
Leading Senior Constable Brown said Smits had gone to the victim’s house to talk about threats that had been made to his family.
Smits had said he had “lost it” and attacked the victim, Leading Senior Constable Brown said.
The victim had suffered swelling and bruising to the eyes, he said.
Smits a had prior conviction for unlawful assault, Leading Senior Constable Brown said.
The court was told the victim’s child had been at Smits’ house and had been told to go home.
Smits’ partner had later received a note asking for a talk about contact between the two children, Smits’ counsel said.
Smits’ partner had called Smits to explain the situation and Smits had gone to the victim’s house and assaulted the victim.
Magistrate John Lesser said taking matters into his own hands as Smits had done was unacceptable. “If everyone did this, we would be living in a world of chaos,” Mr Lesser said.
He said he was pleased to hear that Smits was making progress with counselling for his problem with alcohol.
