The judge hearing the case described the offending as "an hour of idiocy". The man pleaded guilty to charges of aggravated burglary, assault, damaging property and false imprisonment.

The court was told the assault happened during an attempt by the victim to flee what was described as an abusive and controlling relationship.

In October 2020, the woman contacted a friend after a row with the man, telling her she was scared to leave because of past abuse.

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But the victim packed a bag that night and snuck out of their Kennington home, jumping a fence and running to meet her friend.

The man soon tracked the pair down at the friend's Bendigo home, the court was told. He kicked the front door open and told the victim to leave.

"(The victim) kept saying to the accused, 'please don't hurt me, I don't want to go back'," prosecutor Amit Malik told the court. "The accused tried to grab (the victim) by the forearm but she kept pulling her arm away and fell to the floor."

After threatening the friend, the man left with the victim and they returned home. The man locked the front, preventing the victim from leaving again.

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Once inside the man again assaulted the woman, the court heard, grabbing her by the hair and jumper while striking her to the head.

It was during this time the friend contacted police, meeting officers at the couple's property a short time later.

The man was arrested at the scene. The court was told that during a formal interview with police, the man said he did not intend to assault anyone or damage property.

Judge John Smallwood told the court the man had been assessed for a community corrections order that could include mental health rehabilitation and anger management treatment.

The man's due to be sentenced next week.

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