THE Warrnambool co-ordinator of an Aboriginal family-led decision-making program has lost his job and been placed on a community corrections order after assaulting his partner.
Paul Michael Kelly, 29, of Dennington Rise, Dennington, pleaded guilty in the Warrnambool Magistrates Court to making a threat to kill, breaching an intervention order, false imprisonment and two counts of unlawful assault.
He was placed on a 12-month community corrections order with the condition he complete 75 hours’ community work.
Magistrate Peter Mellas said Kelly had pleaded guilty to serious violence charges committed in the presence of his children.
He said Kelly had work to do and was required to attend at court on June 30 to see how he was progressing.
Police said Kelly and the woman victim had three children and been in a relationship for 16 years, but she had been considering separating.
Kelly walked out on New Year’s Eve. On January 5 he returned, wanting to talk to the woman, but “pounced” on her and pushed his fingers and fist into her oesophagus, put his hands around her throat and forced her face into a mattress.
The woman told their son to ring 000. Their other two children were in the bedroom.
On February 9 they argued again. Kelly spat in the woman’s face and began choking her. The victim kneed Kelly to the groin.
The court heard the couple are trying to work out their problems.
