Jonathon Patrick Ryan: Family violence offender jailed after throwing brick at partner, kicking her on ground

A man who hit his partner in the head with a brick and threw a kids’ bike at her during a dispute over money has been jailed.

Jonathon Patrick Ryan, 29, appeared in Geraldton Magistrates Court via video link from Greenough Regional Prison on Thursday after spending 14 weeks in custody.

He pleaded guilty to aggravated common assault and two counts of breaching a community based order.

The court heard Ryan was with his partner on December 1 when they began arguing over money found in the woman’s backpack.

The woman attempted to leave and they got into a scuffle, both tugging the backpack, which caused the woman to fall to the ground.

Police prosecutor Sgt Paul Burkinshaw said Ryan kicked the woman while she was on the ground.

The assault triggered a breach of two community based orders which were imposed after Ryan was convicted of hitting her over the head with a brick, resulting in stitches, and throwing a children’s bike at her.

The court heard he also pushed her into a fence, causing her eye to hit the latch.

Ryan was also convicted of assaulting and wounding the same victim in 2018.

Defence counsel Kate Fry said the violence went both ways in the relationship.

She said Ryan had a problem with alcohol but he did not take drugs, unlike his partner who she said spent money on substances.

Magistrate Matthew Walton said it was an “unequivocal” incident of domestic violence, with “stark, horrifying and grievous” facts.

After hearing Ryan refused counselling and failed to attend program requirements, Mr Walton said he showed a disregard for rehabilitation.

He was imprisoned for eight months, backdated to January 4, and will be eligible for parole after serving four months.

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