Northampton man Vendyl Jacob Ryan accused of striking partner with screwdriver

A Northampton man has fronted court after being accused of striking his partner with a screwdriver during a domestic dispute. Police will allege Vendyl Jacob Ryan had been asleep in his Northampton home in the early hours of June 14 when his partner of more than four years woke him up. Geraldton Magistrates Court was on Monday told they started arguing over jealously issues, with the altercation escalating when Mr Ryan allegedly used a screwdriver to cause two “puncture wounds” to his partner’s back. He was subsequently charged with aggravated unlawful wounding and prohibited from having any contact with the alleged victim. The 24-year-old was taken into custody at the weekend after breaching this condition, but the court was told it had been the complainant who had initiated the contact. He pleaded guilty to the breach, with defence counsel Xavier Sellathambu saying Mr Ryan now recognised the relationship was “toxic”. Mr Ryan was not required to enter pleas to the other charge and was released back on bail. He will appear in court again in July.