Levi James From: $500 fine after man bashed by ex-girlfriend’s brother breaks window, sends abusive messages

A man has been fined $500 after throwing a wooden plank through the window of his ex-girlfriend’s house after he was bashed by her brother for collecting his belongings. Levi James From, 33, appeared in Geraldton Magistrates Court on Thursday, where he was sentenced for criminal damage and two counts of breach of bail. The court was told that on June 20 From went to the house of his ex-partner of four years after they separated. The woman was out of town and he wanted to collect his belongings. The court was told the woman’s family, including her brother, went to the address and assaulted From. After the altercation, police prosecutor Sgt Ross Gray said the 33-year-old picked up a wooden plank and threw it through the front window of the Glenfield home, causing $265 in damage. Sgt Gray told the court that two weeks later, From used the social media platform Instagram to send a series of messages to the woman, telling her she was “trash” and “it’s not all roses and butterflies”. More messages read to the court said “I f.... hate you” and “you can pass this onto police, my lawyer is higher up than them”. He also made four phone calls to her relative, leaving a voice message and using offensive slurs. Defence lawyer Kate Fry said her client had access to video surveillance at the home and saw his ex-partner’s family packing his belongings. She said he did not want that and told the woman he would do it. She told the court From received a black eye and split lip from the assault and his house keys were taken from him. Ms Fry said when From went to the police station to report the assault, he was arrested and held in custody for eight hours and charged with criminal damage. The court was told police refused to take a statement from him in relation to the assault. Magistrate Matthew Walton said domestic and family violence-related offences were always serious but understood From lashed out because he was emotionally hurt. “The number and nature of messages in my view are more retaliatory, outlandish remarks,” he said. “You may be frustrated in relation to property but the person in court is you, so just remember that.” 1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732)