A FORMER Derrinallum man alleged to have been involved in a terrifying incident near the town has now pleaded guilty to a range of charges.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Adam Stonehouse, 28, of Russell Street, Northcote, was to stand trial in the current sitting of the Warrnambool County Court but he has pleaded guilty to making threats to kill, intentionally causing injuries, theft, aggravated burglary and causing criminal damage. A plea hearing has been scheduled for April next year.
Stonehouse is understood to have spent more than 400 days in custody although he was released on bail at one stage to resume his relationship with the principal victim.
Bail conditions included a $10,000 surety, no contact with witnesses, not attending within 50 kilometres of Derrinallum and reporting to police three times a week.
Police previously told the court that while being held in remand Stonehouse had tried to contact the victim 88 times despite an intervention order and she had visited him in custody four times.
Stonehouse and the woman were in a relationship and living in a bus at Derrinallum earlier last year. They went to a birthday party and about midnight the woman returned home.
Stonehouse followed, they argued and he is alleged to have punched the woman to the face, knocked her out and restrained her before returning to the party.
The woman regained consciousness and was able to free herself before fleeing with other party-goers to another property.
Stonehouse returned to the party house, kicked in the front door and searched handbags, allegedly stealing credit cards and cigarettes. Police claimed Stonehouse then went to the other property and kicked in a door before assaulting a man.
He is also alleged to have threatened the man and his wife before grabbing his partner and taking her back to the bus.