A SUSPENDED sentence should not be viewed as an easy way out in domestic violence cases, Magistrate Yogesh Prasad warned as he considered a vegetable seller’s assault on his wife.
On August 10, the 36-year-old man admitted in court to assaulting his wife following an argument after they returned from church.
The court heard he approached his wife while she was at home with their children and struck her with a stick, causing injuries to the right side of her face and the back of her neck.
The court heard there were financial difficulties in the relationship and that the victim had since moved and was not receiving financial support from the man.
Magistrate Prasad stressed the seriousness of domestic violence and the importance of punishment, noting that offenders could return to similar behaviour.
He said the circumstances of the offending had to be carefully considered and stressed the need to protect victims and ensure offenders understood the seriousness of their conduct.
Sentencing has been scheduled for September 1.
