A MAN who abused his mind and body with illicit drugs has been sentenced to 18 months jail for terrorising a 17-year-old girl during a violent domestic dispute.
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The 20-year-old pleaded guilty to a charge of assault occasioning actual bodily harm when he appeared in Dubbo Local Court via video link from Wellington Correctional Centre.
The man has schizophrenia and cannot be named.
The court heard his drug addiction began at the age of 13.
He developed a serious dependency on ice, a crystalised type of methamphetamine more addictive and harmful than the powder known as speed.
"Your record is littered with offences. To your credit you have now demonstrated a desire to go into full-time rehabilitation. With a dual (drug and mental health) diagnosis there is a hard road ahead for you," Magistrate Eckhold said.
The court heard the man trapped and terrorised his teenage partner of 12 months in a house in Leavers Street, West Dubbo, at 3.20am on March 10.
Prosecution facts tendered to the court said three other men were in the house when the 17-year-old said she wanted to take her belongings and leave. She was prevented from going, pushed in the chest and repeatedly punched in the face.
Police said the man followed the victim when she fled to the bathroom.
The victim smashed a window and jumped out. She was grabbed, dragged back into the house and told to wipe the blood from her face.
The court heard the man had been in custody since March 11.
A solicitor from the Aboriginal Legal Service said the man had "dried out" during his time behind bars.
"The offences on his record are something the court would see when someone has had a bad drug habit from a young age," the solicitor said.
"There is a need for rehabilitation. A bed is available at the Orana Haven (residential drug and alcohol centre)."
The solicitor asked the court to make a finding of special circumstances and take into account the amount of time the man had already spent in custody.
Magistrate Eckhold determined 18 months jail was appropriate.
The man will be subject to supervision from Community Corrections for 18 months. If he re-offends or fails to comply with directions he will be brought back to court to be re-sentenced.
