Man sentenced to home detention for assault on partner
Justin Steve Bulger was sentenced to 15 months' home detention for punching his partner repeatedly and destroying her property.
A Devonport man has been sentenced to home detention for assaulting his partner and destroying her belongings during a night in February 2022. Justin Steve Bulger, 38, woke his partner by repeatedly punching her arm, leg and stomach while he read messages on her phone and verbally abused her.
When she tried to get out of bed, he pushed her back down and the assault continued. The next morning, he destroyed a personal item that belonged to her.
The woman hid her bruises with make-up and clothing before going to work, then contacted her sister and was encouraged to report the assault to police. She made a formal complaint two months later.
Justice Robert Pearce said in sentencing that violence in relationships is a grave problem and that Bulger's resort to violence was inexcusable. Bulger pleaded guilty to five counts of assault and one count of destroying property.
- 15 months home detention
- Sentence
- February 2022
- Incident date
- Near Devonport, sentencing in Launceston
- Location
Why it mattersDomestic violence sentencing sends a signal about how the courts treat intimate-partner assault and the seriousness with which judges now view such crimes.
AustraliaAustralian courts continue to take domestic violence seriously, with custodial sentences and home detention orders reflecting the legal system's commitment to protecting vulnerable partners.
Corroborated bytheadvocate.com.au
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