A methamphetamine addict belted his ex-partner’s head against the inside of his ute in an angry outburst while they sat parked near the Murray River.
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But that wasn’t the end of it for Aaron Trevor Freeman, who within minutes attacked the woman again following their argument.
“The victim was smiling after this (first) incident and this seemed to anger the accused,” police told magistrate Tony Murray.
Freeman got out of the ute and headed around to the passenger door, but the woman too had gotten out.
He then tackled the woman to the ground and they began to wrestle, the incident leaving her bloodied from abrasions to her left and right elbows, her abdomen and her left knee.
Freeman 26, of Jindera, pleaded guilty in Albury Local Court this week to charges of assault and assault occasioning actual bodily harm over what happened at Mungabareena Reserve on October 29.
He pleaded guilty also to possessing prohibited drugs and possession of equipment for administering prohibited drugs.
The court heard Freeman, a roofing plumber, had plunged into depression and had suffered post-traumatic stress disorder since breaking both ankles in a fall.
A bail application was made by Freeman’s solicitor, Graham Lamond, after an initial bid failed last week.
Mr Lamond told Mr Murray that Freeman’s father was willing to immediately lodge a cash surety of $10,000.
Mr Murray initially did not accept this was enough.
“The only thing that’s changed is he has a larger surety, and I expected that.”
Mr Murray pointed out that Freeman had also pleaded guilty to all charges, “bar one”.
This is actually an application by the victim for an apprehended violence order, over which there remained a facts dispute.
But Mr Lamond said there was a change in circumstances in that Freeman’s family had taken significant steps to investigate then organise the man’s placement in a 90-day residential drug rehabilitation program at a private Melbourne clinic.
Mr Murray granted bail though subject to a host of strict conditions, including one requested by Freeman’s father that he have no access to social media websites
The drug matters relate to incidents on September 12.
That when police twice pulled over Freeman’s ute – 18 hours apart – and found small quantities of “ice” and cannabis.
Freeman will be sentenced on April 5.
