A Bendigo man who choked and beat his mother to the point of unconsciousness has been sentenced to jail, but released on bail while he awaits an appeal.
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The man, who was 31 at the time of the assault last year, was at a birthday party at a Flora Hill address on the night of the attack.
During the night, the man's mother became aggressive towards his sister.
The pair were separated, but when the sister came out of a bedroom, she saw the man holding their mother down on the couch with his hands around her neck, choking her until her face turned purple.
The man then hit his mother's head against a mantelpiece, resulting in a laceration, before picking her up by her hair and dropping her head on the ground.
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He then began punching her in the ribs, continuing the attack even after his sister laid on top of their mother to protect her.
The younger woman was not injured, but the mother was left unconscious.
Two others at the house dragged the man out, while someone called emergency services.
Police later found the man drunk in a lane way.
Yesterday, he pleaded guilty in the Bendigo Magistrates' Court to intentionally causing injury, unlawful assault and public drunkenness.
Defence counsel Luke Docherty said his client was trying to protect his sister from his mother on the night in question.
Mr Docherty said there was a history of family violence between the man, his mother and his stepfather.
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The man's personal circumstances were much more stable now, he said, and submitted a community corrections order was appropriate, or an order in combination with imprisonment.
Magistrate Megan Aumair said nothing except a combination sentence was appropriate.
"That kind of violence is just unacceptable, on any level," Ms Aumair said, but noted the man had shown some insight into his offending.
She convicted and sentenced him to four months' imprisonment and an 18-month community corrections order, with conditions he undertake programs to address his behaviour.
If the man had not pleaded guilty, he would have been jailed for 10 months with a two-year corrections order.
The man was not taken into custody, however, as he was granted bail to appeal the sentence.
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Natalie Croxon
Reporter at the Illawarra Mercury, mostly covering social affairs. Previously of the Bendigo Advertiser, Northern Daily Leader and Quirindi Advocate. Our Watch award winner.
Reporter at the Illawarra Mercury, mostly covering social affairs. Previously of the Bendigo Advertiser, Northern Daily Leader and Quirindi Advocate. Our Watch award winner.
