Wife bashed over phone
Former Surf Life Saving director guilty of assault
A FORMER Gold Coast Surf Life Saving director has been slapped with a suspended jail term after confessing to bashing his wife at their Palm Beach home.
Just over a year ago, Kevin Michael Litzow was the Director of Surf Sports at the South Coast Branch of Surf Life Saving Queensland and had been selected to travel to Holland to referee the World Championships in November.
But after coming home drunk and grabbing his wife by the neck before slapping her in the mouth because she wouldn’t hand over her phone, everything fell apart.
Litzow, 60, was charged with assault in July last year and spent 12 days behind bars. Soon after, he was suspended from his role with Surf Life Saving and he could not travel to the Championships in Holland.
Southport District Court yesterday heard he tried to wrestle the phone from his wife because he was suspicious about who she was speaking to.
Crown prosecutor Michael Mitchell described the attack as “prolonged”.
“It was an assault on a woman in her own home, where she is entitled to feel safe,” he said.
“It was not a single slap but a prolonged grabbing of the neck and applying the force for some time.”
Defence solicitor Chris Nyst argued the attack was “inappropriate” but at the lower end of the range.
He lobbied for a fine rather than a jail sentence so Litzow could have his Blue Card reinstated in an effort to become involved with Surf Life Saving again.
“This is a grapple to get the phone,” Mr Nyst said, noting Litzow’s wife was not hospitalised for neck bruising or the cut to her lip.
“It’s not a situation where a man goes out and punches a woman.”
Judge Michael Rackemann said “people are entitled to privacy of their own communications”.
“An assault of this kind can have consequences beyond simple physical consequences,” he said. “It’s unsurprising the victim impact statement speaks of effects as a result of this incident.”
Litzow was sentenced to six months jail, suspended for two years.
Judge Rackemann took into consideration the 12 days already served and Litzow’s plea of guilty.