A MAN accused of violently punching and choking his girlfriend has been committed to stand trial in the County Court.
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The 29-year-old appeared in the Bendigo Magistrates' Court on Tuesday after he was charged with offences including intentionally causing injury, recklessly causing serious injury, and unlawfully imprisoning and detaining a woman against her will.
The man formally entered pleas of not guilty to all of the charges and Magistrate Daniel Muling committed the 29-year-old to stand trial in the County Court.
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The alleged victim of the assault - the man's former partner - gave evidence to the court during the committal hearing.
The woman told the magistrate she had been drinking alcohol with the man and a friend on the night of January 24 this year.
The alleged victim's friend left the house about 9pm and the woman went to bed about an hour later, while the man stayed up.
The woman told the court she woke up at 1am to the man yelling at her and calling her a liar after he allegedly found messages on her phone about other men.
The alleged victim gave evidence that the man got on top of her on the bed and punched her to the head, chest, and stomach.
The woman told the court the man continued to yell that she was a liar before twisting her left arm and pushing her off the bed.
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The woman said she fell onto her knees and the man put his hands around her neck and choked her at least five times.
The alleged victim told the magistrate she woke later that morning to the man in bed beside her.
She said she looked at herself in the mirror and saw the severity of her injuries.
The court heard the woman said to the man, "Look at what you did to my face," and he responded, "Have a think about what you've done".
The alleged victim said she needed to be hospitalised for her injuries.
Defence lawyer Tas Antos said his client denied the assault took place.
The 29-year-old man was remanded in custody ahead of his County Court directions hearing next month. He did not apply for bail.
Seeking support
If you or someone you know is experiencing violence, help is available:
- Safe Steps, Victoria's 24-hour family violence response hotline - 1800 015 188
- 1800 RESPECT, the 24-hour national sexual assault, domestic and family violence counselling service - 1800 737 732
- No To Violence's Men's Referral Service, for men concerned about their use of violence - 1300 766 491
- The Centre Against Sexual Assault Central Victoria, available from 9am - 5pm on weekdays, on 5441 0430, and the Sexual Assault Crisis Line at all other times on 1800 806 292.
- The Orange Door in Loddon, available from 9am - 5pm weekdays - 1800 512 359
- The Centre for Non-Violence, for people who live in the Loddon region, on 1800 884 292.
In an emergency, phone 000.
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