Craig Brooks, 35, of Bernard Street, Cheltenham, pleaded guilty in the Warrnambool Magistrates Court on Tuesday to recklessly causing injury.

Police prosecutor Senior Constable Nathan Brown said Brooks drove from Warrnambool to Southern Cross station in Melbourne on August 13 to collect the victim, his former partner. 

The pair began to argue while the woman was on the phone to a third party.

“The accused grabbed the victim by the throat to get the phone,” Senior Constable Brown said. 

He said the pair wrestled and Brooks headbutted the victim in the face, causing her eyes and nose to swell and bruise. 

Defence counsel Alice Reynolds said her client had arrived at the train station with the aim of ending the relationship. She said Brooks had not re-offended since the incident and was keen to put it behind him. 

“I would submit that this is an isolated incident ... he has no other history,” she said.

She said that Brooks had moved to Australia aged 18 and was the father of five children. Magistrate Andrew Capell said Brooks’ actions were inexcusable.

“Lots of people have disagreements and lots of people sort it out without headbutting each other or grabbing each other by the throat,” he said.

 Brooks was convicted and fined $750.