Accused in ‘state of rage’

A WOMAN allegedly assaulted by her partner in their Chigwell home sat on a hospital bed in a foetal position after the attack with chunks of her hair scattered through her clothes, a Hobart court has heard.

The accused man has pleaded guilty to two assault charges, and not guilty to a third assault charge and one count of oral rape, which allegedly took place in three separate incidents in June-July last year.

Crown prosecutor Jackie Hartnett alleged the accused went into a “state of rage” after police checked on the woman’s welfare after being contacted by her concerned family on July 19 last year.

It was alleged he assaulted her on and off for an hour, including hitting her with a hockey stick. The accused pleaded guilty on a limited basis to these assaults.

Before Justice Stephen Estcourt yesterday, Royal Hobart Hospital nurse Heather Adams said she was involved in treating the woman when she was brought to the hospital by two police officers after the third alleged incident.

The woman was treated for bruising and grazes on 56 areas of her body, and it was later discovered her lung had collapsed by 20 per cent.

Ms Adams said the woman appeared “very fragile” and did not make eye contact.

“She was sitting on the bed in a foetal position,” she said.

Defence lawyer Craig Rainbird said he would contest the first assault charge and the alleged sexual assault.

The trial continues Monday.