Joshua William Dean Little: Man sentenced to one year imprisonment for violent domestic attack in Geraldton

A 31-year-old man has been sentenced to 12 months jail for a violent domestic assault in Geraldton last year when he punched his partner in the face.

Joshua William Dean Little, from South Hedland, appeared in Geraldton Magistrates Court on Thursday charged with criminal damage, common assault and breaching a family violence restraining order.

The 31-year-old man pleaded guilty to all three charges.

The court was told Little had an argument with his partner on August 1 2021 and was ordered to leave the Spalding house.

He was escorted outside with the flyscreen door locked behind him.

Little then smashed a window and forced his way into the property knocking over a TV cabinet and TV in the process.

Once inside, he told the victim “I’m going to kill you” before punching her in the face.

He left the address on foot, was arrested a short time after and taken to Geraldton Police Station.

Magistrate Angus Hockton said the damage caused by the attack was terrible and highlighted the persistence of offending.

Little’s lawyer said her client was remorseful for his actions and planned to go back to his partner in South Hedland.

She said he had grown up with domestic violence, had limited education and was in a car accident at a young age.

Mr Hockton acknowledged Little’s childhood trauma, but said it was a terrible way to treat anyone.

He highlighted how the experience would have been terrifying for the victim, having told Little to leave.

He also noted it wasn’t the first time Little had been at the house and caused damage.

While considering Little’s sentence, Mr Hockton outlined the aggravating factor of hurting someone that you are meant to love and nurture.

Little was sentenced to six months imprisonment for the common assault, three months for the breach of family violence restraining order and three months for criminal damage.