Man slaps partner with disability 'to stop her swearing'
A 64-YEAR-OLD man has admitted to slapping and shoving his disabled partner in a "cowardly" effort to stop her swearing in front of children.
The Southern Downs man pleaded guilty to contravening a domestic violence order at Warwick Magistrates Court yesterday.
Defence lawyer Phil Crook said the man "reprimanded" his partner of 18 years in November last year.
The court heard the man was entering a shopping centre when his 56-year-old partner, who had a stroke 19 years ago, and is showing signs of dementia, started swearing.
Mr Crook said the man recalled there was a woman nearby with two girls aged about 10, and his partner said "f--- them".
"He's remorseful for his actions...he was basically trying to get her to behave, which isn't the way to do it," Mr Crook said.
He said the man claimed the woman got angry when people tried to help her and abused him.
Magistrate Jason Schubert said the act was "cowardly" and while his circumstances could explain his behaviour, it did not excuse it.
Mr Schubert took into account the lack of injury to the victim and sentenced the man to 12 months' probation.
