An Ararat man has received a fine after abandoning his partner on the Pyrenees Highway during an argument between the two.
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David Loveday, 56, appeared at Ararat Magistrates' Court on Friday, August 13, and pleaded guilty to a charge of unlawful assault under aggravated circumstances.
At 6pm, April 21, 2021, Loveday was involved in an argument with the victim, his partner, at their Ararat residence before leaving together to go to the supermarket.
Loveday instead started to drive down the Pyrenees Highway, and after pulling over on the side of the road, held the victim's sleeve and removed her from the car.
He drove off from the victim, who flagged down a passing vehicle on the highway and called 000, where she was taken to Ararat Hospital.
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Loveday presented to Ararat Police Station later that day and made a full admission to pulling the victim out of the car by her clothes.
Loveday told the court he had been receiving treatment at the Hamilton Hospital for anger management issues, and had not been taking his depression medication at the time of the assault.
Magistrate Jonathan Klestadt said he hoped Loveday, and his partner who appeared at the court alongside him, would be able to improve their relationship.
The two were attending couples therapy.
"I've never been to couples counselling but I hope you and your partner are able to utilise that service to find a better way to engage with each other so that the relationship is successful," Mr Klestadt said.
"There are a lot of lonely people out there, many of them are lonely because their behaviour is not acceptable to other people and they burn bridges with others.
"Your behaviour on this particular day is much to be regretted, fortunately the assault was relatively minor, but the conduct generally was very poor."
Mr Klestadt convicted and fined Loveday $250.
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