A man who bit and choked his partner while she pretended to "play dead" after a night of drinking has been jailed.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Christopher Finlay, 30, was drinking with his victim, friends and family at the Coachman Hotel in Parkes before being refused service on August 28.
According to court documents, Finlay and his victim left the hotel at about 12.25am and walked to the vacant lot off McGee's lane, where he became frustrated that members of her family weren't ready to leave.
READ ALSO:
Finlay then demanded access to the victims phone when he became agitated and abusive toward her.
A physical altercation broke out when Finlay bit the victims right eyebrow, pushed her head into the side mirror of the vehicle they were standing next to and put his hands around her neck choking her.
Court documents reveal at one point the victim ended up on the ground and attempted to "play dead" as Finlay kept picking her back up.
As the victim tried to run away, afraid for her life, Finlay kept grabbing her and pulling her back toward him.
The victim, covered in bruises, swelling and teeth marks to the head, managed to escape and approached a stranger for help who walked her back to the Coachman Hotel.
Finlay later presented himself to Orange police station, where he told police "I never should have done it".
He pleaded guilty to one count of assault occasioning actual bodily harm when he faced Dubbo Local Court on Wednesday.
Magistrate Gary Wilson said it was a "disturbing" and "prolonged" attack on the victim.
"You're a big man, I don't know what her size is but you were unrelenting," Magistrate Wilson said in court.
"I know you were significantly intoxicated, but that's no excuse."
Finlay's defence told the court he was a father of two and had been involved in a serious car accident in 2019. He had been working as a diesel mechanic, however has not worked since the accident, which had resulted in a drinking problem.
The court heard Finlay had previously been convicted for common assault, but has since cut back on alcohol and is dealing with his mental health issues.
Magistrate Wilson said while Finlay had a limited record and entered an early plea of guilt, he read out a sentencing assessment report, which outlined Finlay had blamed the victim for his behaviour.
"It says you minimised your offending behaviour and related this to the dysfunctional nature of the relationship," Magistrate Wilson said in court.
"I don't know whether you can blame the victim in these circumstances for the behaviour you exhibited on this evening."
Finlay was convicted and sentenced to 14 months in prison, with a 10-month non-parole period.
He will be eligible for release in August next year.