SHOCKING ACT OF VIOLENCE
SHOCKING details have emerged about a former star footballer’s attack on a woman.
An Ocean Grove mother had chunks of hair ripped from her scalp in the assault at the hands of Adrian Stapleton.
The 44-year-old man faced Geelong County Court yesterday after pleading guilty to charges, including aggravated burglary and intentionally causing injury.
Before the attack in 2016, Stapleton had been a well known footballer in the region, winning six premierships with Ocean Grove and representing the Bellarine Football League.
But any respect he enjoyed as a sportsman came crashing down about 4am on August 21, 2016, when he forced open the door of the woman’s home.
After breaking in, he attacked the woman — who was known to him — and another man who had been sleeping at the home.
At one point, he picked up the woman and threw her against the wall, before grabbing her by the hair and throwing her across the room.
Stapleton also threw several punches at the man.
The attack came to a halt when Stapleton left, but he returned 30 minutes later, punching the woman to the face and wrestling with the man.
When police arrived, they found large quantities of the victim’s hair around the home.
The court heard yesterday the woman was left with a range of injuries, including swelling to the face and bruises to her hand and legs.
An audio recording from her phone was played to the court, in which a female voice can be heard screaming.
In a victim impact statement read to the court, the woman described the incident as a “terrifying and horrific ordeal” that left her fearing for her life.
She said the attack had stripped her of her identity and left her struggling to sleep.
“My trust in people is all but destroyed,” she said. 1 Upset male sibling right away 2 Animal skin leaders found under rhinos List of figures for the bench maybe 4 Trifle with a musical instrument 5 Song is presented in 3
“My motive is gone. My ability to love and care for others is disappearing.”
Defence lawyer Sarah Pratt said Stapleton had been abusing alcohol “very heavily”, but had since sought help.
Ms Pratt said he had no prior convictions and had a strong employment history, mostly as a carpenter.
Judge Jeanette Morrish described the offending as serious and said a jail term was likely.
Stapleton was remanded and will return to court on Monday.