Mid West man Shane Douglas Hawkins jailed for assaulting partner and threatening to put a bullet in her head

A Mid West man’s “abhorrent” domestic violence offending includes repeatedly punching his partner, throwing a chair at her, assaulting her with a broom and holding a bullet in his hand, telling her “I will put this in your head”. Shane Douglas Hawkins, 43, appeared in the Geraldton Magistrates Court by video link from Greenough Regional Prison for sentencing on Monday. He was jailed for eight months. He pleaded guilty to two counts of unlawful assault, threatened to kill, possessing cannabis, giving false details to police, four breach of bail and two breaches of a suspended imprisonment order. The court was told that on June 18, 2022, Hawkins and his partner were at the Geraldton Surf Life Saving Club in Mahomets Flats celebrating a family member’s birthday. The couple was intoxicated when Hawkins punched her in the face, causing her eye to swell shut. A community corrections officer told the court that on February 5, 2022 in Yalgoo, Hawkins became aggressive towards his partner, yelling and swearing at her before punching her in the stomach. The court was told Hawkins told her “I will make you piss . . . I will kill you c...”, and followed her as she ran outside, throwing a yellow chair at her back and causing her to fall to her knees. While she was on the ground, Hawkins used a broom to assault her. As she ran away, Hawkins said “come back here or I will kill you” and held a bullet in his hand, telling her: “I will put this in your head”. Defence lawyer Gary Tan said Hawkins’ offending was impacted by alcohol and his client understood he shouldn’t have behaved the way he did. He said the lack of compliance with orders occurred during a difficult time in his life after falling into homelessness and losing his father. Police prosecutor Sgt Carey Owen called for the full 12-month sentence, stating alcohol counselling was available to Hawkins while he was on the court order, yet he continued to drink and reoffend. Magistrate Matthew Walton said it was “abhorrent, egregious behaviour” and the facts spoke for themselves. “This is not low-level offending . . . because he’s sobered up does not detract from the conclusions,” he said. Hawkins was sentenced to eight months in prison and was made eligible for parole. He was also fined $700. 1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732)