Wodonga man pleads guilty to serious assault charge, but avoids conviction

Albury Local Court magistrate Richard Funston told Cohen J. Mack how the punch caused the woman to fall backwards.

"At the time it was not something that's happened in our relationship before," Mack, who represented himself in court, said.

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"I immediately understood my actions were incorrect."

Prosecutor Sergeant Andrew Coombs said police conceded there was "physical retaliation between both parties".

While sharply critical of his offending, Mr Funston told Mack he was "impressed by the way you have dealt with this actually".

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"I'm going to take a really unusual course today and not impose a conviction," Mr Funston said.

Mack earlier pleaded guilty to assault occasioning actual bodily harm.

The court was told that Mack and the victim, both 22, had been in a relationship for about five years and were living in Thurgoona.

They began drinking alcohol on August 28 about 9pm.

Later that same night, Mack and the woman were in her bedroom - he playing on a gaming console and she using her phone.

Police said Mack then began to bring up "the past history of the victim cheating" on him.

They argued, which turned "physical" and she pushed him out of the room.

He used his foot to stop the door closing, so she reached in and scratched his face then he punched her to the face.

Mack was placed on a two-year conditional release order.

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