North Albury man's offending creates 'an enormous amount of concern' for court

Josh Beau Sweeney dropped his head into his hands and didn't move for several minutes when sentenced in Albury Local Court.

His three-year jail term was for charges related to supplying methamphetamine and, in what magistrate Richard Funston said was the far more serious matter, trying to choke his partner.

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Mr Funston said the victim, subject to an ongoing assault by Sweeney, the son of Graham "Jack" Sweeney, was obviously "terrified".

Defence lawyer Piers Blomfield said Graham Sweeney, who died two years ago, "was a man who was in jail for most of his life".

"(Sweeney) was close to his father and as your honour can appreciate that was problematic because of his father's criminal history," he said.

"He's at an age now, at 32, that he has to change."

Mr Funston was scathing of Sweeney's violence.

"Even people who are severely drug-addicted don't go throttling their partner," he said.

"The idea that she was having a psychotic episode; she was obviously terrified.

"He's just chosen not to address his drug problem.

"On every level Mr Sweeney has committed a serious number of offences that gives the court an enormous amount of concern."

Sweeney, of Fallon Street, North Albury, pleaded guilty to charges including intentionally choke person with recklessness, assault occasioning actual bodily harm, possess or use a prohibited weapon without a permit, supply and possess prohibited drug matters and receiving stolen goods.

A charge of causing a dog to inflict actual bodily harm was withdrawn.

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Sweeney appeared via a video link to Wellington jail.

A doctor called police over the woman's "significant injuries", including a broken nose, two black eyes of such severity "she can hardly see out of them" and bruising to her entire body.

Police spoke to her in Albury hospital on December 16, two days after the attack.

"The victim stated that she was under the influence of methamphetamine and she was having a psychotic episode. She recalls being at the accused's address but can't recall in any detail how any of the injuries were sustained to her body."

A search of Sweeney's home uncovered 5.6422 grams of methamphetamine, 1.044 grams of MDMA, illegal flick and butterfly knives, electronic scales and $550 in cash.

His seized mobile phone had a series of messages related to sales of methamphetamine for amounts up to $1000.

Sweeney must serve two years, with a release date of December 18, 2022.

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