Mitchell Sebbens, 38, of Clarence Street, pleaded guilty in Warrnambool Magistrates Court to assault and breaching a court order. 

Magistrate Franz Holzer said if not for Sebbens’ early guilty plea, he would have sentenced him to 10 months in jail. 

On January 17, Sebbens was walking on Hamilton’s Kenny Street when he ran into his former partner. 

Despite a court order prohibiting him from being within five metres of the victim, Sebbens approached her and asked for $20 so that he could buy cannabis. 

She agreed and waited for him as he went to buy the drugs. 

He returned a short time later and said the dealer wasn’t home. The victim asked for her money back but Sebbens refused, stating that he would use it to buy the drug ice instead. 

The victim tried to grab the money but Sebbens pushed her to the ground, causing her to have a sore back. 

Sebbens attempted to grab a $10 note that fell out of the victim’s pocket. The pair wrestled for a moment before he got up and left. 

The victim reported the incident to police, who attended Sebbens’ property about 11pm. 

He told police he had spoken with the victim for several hours and that he had acted in self-defence after she attacked him.