Geraldton man given last chance to change behaviour after assault on pregnant partner

A magistrate has warned a Geraldton man who assaulted his pregnant partner he would be facing up to 20 months behind bars if he failed to complete a domestic violence program. Coan Brian Arthur Taylor, 22, appeared in Geraldton Magistrates Court on Monday after pleading guilty to common assault, impeding another person’s breathing by applying pressure to the neck and breaching his bail conditions. Prosecutor Sgt Paul Burkinshaw told the court Taylor and his 22-year-old pregnant partner were walking on a Waggrakine Street when an argument turned into a physical altercation on September 12. Taylor struck the woman three or four times in the rib cage with a closed fist, with Sgt Burkinshaw saying the man only stopped when the victim told him: “This is the reason why we lost our first baby”. The man then grabbed his partner by the throat, “causing her to become light-headed” and have difficulty breathing. He let go after she struck him in the face, allowing her to call for help. On another occasion, Taylor tried to hit the woman with a broom when he saw she was collecting her things with the intention of moving out for good. He grabbed the collar of her shirt, causing the fabric to tear. Defence counsel Tim Hampson said Taylor was assessed as a suitable candidate for the Barndimalgu court, which allows domestic violence offenders to complete programs to address their behaviour before being sentenced. Magistrate Angus Hockton said he was willing to give Taylor a chance to engage with the program, but warned he faced immediate imprisonment of up to 20 months if he continued to offend. “I am setting that out for you very clearly so you know what is at stake,” he said. “I am effectively giving you the key to your cell, so you can do the right thing and let yourself out or you can do the wrong thing and lock yourself in.”