Scott Cody, 19, pleaded guilty in Armidale Local Court on Monday to failing to appear, two counts of common assault and assault occasioning bodily harm.

Magistrate Michael Holmes said Cody “made all the right noises” in his presentence report but he wasn’t convinced.

“It’s not pleasant in jail and the court is very concerned you have ended up in jail,” he said.

“Domestic violence is a problem and you should not engage in it.

“You said you had a difficult background, well there’s no point continuing those problems in another generation.”

An argument broke out between the pair on October 25 about a window Cody had broken, the court heard.

Cody hit the victim with a timber bed slat and later threw an icy pole at her, he then grabbed the victim by the hair and punched her twice to the back of the head, police evidence showed.

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Cody appeared via audio visual link from Cessnock Correctional Centre, he uses cannabis to deal with his psychological problems, the court heard.

Defence solicitor Peter Kemp told the court his client had been the subject of assaults in jail.

“He’s been assaulted numerous times in jail, including once last week,” he said.

“He says they pick on him because of his small stature.”

Community Corrections deemed Cody appropriate for a community service order, but the magistrate disagreed.

“For the life of me I can’t see how he’s suitable for a community service order when you look at his offences,” Mr Holmes said.

Cody had been in custody since January 9, and was sentenced to three months imprisonment for each count of common assault. 

For assault occasioning bodily harm he was sentenced to 12 months with six months non-parole. He was sentenced to six months imprisonment for failing to appear in court.