A Woonona man jailed for assaulting his last two partners, one of whom was pregnant, has told a judge of the profound impact a prison-based domestic violence course has had on his attitude to women.
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Adrian Oddo slapped one partner in the face then tried to choke another in separate attacks last year that resulted in him being sentenced to 12 months jail in Wollongong Local Court in February.
The sentencing magistrate, Chris McRobert, admonished Oddo for attempting to diminish his responsibility for the assaults after he blamed his mental health issues and poor upbringing for his behaviour.
He even wrote a letter to the Local Court claiming he “wasn’t a violent person” and was simply a “big-hearted young man that let [the] struggles of life get the better” of him.
“I can place my hand on my heart and say that jail is not the place for me,” he wrote.
Magistrate McRobert described Oddo’s words as “self-pitying” and sentenced him to an overall jail term of 18 months, with a 12-month non-parole period.
Oddo appealed the prison sentence, claiming it was too severe.
In Wollongong District Court on Thursday, Oddo said the domestic violence course he had participated in since his incarceration had been an eye opener.
“[I learned] to change my perspective when it comes to emotions that would potentially lead me to a violent act… every action has a reaction,” he said.
“It kind of sucks it’s taken me to be in prison to sort out my mental health issues.”
Oddo also offered his apologies to the women he had hurt.
“If I could take it back I would,” he said.
“I think about it every day in jail.”
Defence solicitor Elizabeth Parkes sought a reduction of Oddo’s time behind bars, saying his completion of the domestic violence course would benefit not just him, but the community as a whole.
Judge Haesler said Oddo’s offending was serious, however he agreed to reduce his minimum prison term from 12 months to 8 months on account of the progress he had made in his own rehabilitation.
”Adrian Oddo is still a young man, but his treatment of two women in his life was so appalling he now finds himself in Bathurst jail,” Judge Haesler said.
“It’s clear he didn’t take responsibility for his own actions at the time.
“The reason he’s in jail is because his behaviour was unacceptable. He knows that now.”
Judge Haesler also reduced the overall sentence from 18 months to 16 months.
With time served, Oddo will be eligible for release in September.
