Ex-Don’s downfall and assault of woman
A DISGRACED AFL star who sold his prized footy medals to fund his alcohol and gambling addiction has been convicted over a horrific assault of a woman who took him in while he was homeless.
Former Essendon player Andrew Lovett’s spectacular fall from grace was played out in court yesterday as he pleaded guilty to the assault, which left his victim battered and bruised.
The court heard Lovett, 35, pictured, a recreational drug user, repeatedly grabbed the young mother by the throat and threw her to the ground at a home in Rye on August 4 last year.
The assault was sparked after Lovett accused the victim of betraying him after he went through her text messages and found she had told a friend he had sold his footy medals and mobile phone to support his gambling and drinking habits.
The court heard Lovett hurled her mobile at the ground, grabbed her by the neck and threw her to the ground while her baby slept in a nearby room.
Every time she managed to get to her feet, Lovett grabbed her and threw her down again.
The court heard the victim hit Lovett in self-defence. The father-of-three then threw her to the couch and held her down. “I was angry,” he told police. “I was trying to calm her down.” She was left with injuries to her neck and chest.
In handing down the conviction, Magistrate Charles Tan described Lovett’s attack as a serious breach of trust.