A Launceston man who thrust a knife at his partner in front of her children has been declared a serial family violence perpetrator by the Supreme Court.
David Philip Aylett, 40, pleaded guilty to wounding and assault over the July 2023 incident at his partner’s home.
Justice Michael Brett sentenced Aylett to six months imprisonment, which he has already served after spending 248 days in custody.
The court heard Aylett was banned from the property under a police family violence order when he showed up and refused to leave.
His partner slept in her car for two nights to avoid him.
On the morning of the assault, Aylett woke his partner as she slept on the couch with two of her daughters.
He called her “a dirty junky” and told her she was going to die, the court heard.
Aylett then lay on top of her and grabbed at her throat. He claimed he was trying to restrain her to stop her hitting the children.
In anger, he grabbed a knife from the kitchen and thrust it at her handle-first. The blade cut her finger.
“This was melodramatic and quite abusive behaviour,” Justice Brett said.
The judge rejected suggestions the offending was low-level.
“A particularly serious aspect of your conduct is that it all occurred in the presence of the children,” he said.
“It is well-known that children are harmed by exposure to this type of conduct and the legislation provides that the presence of children when family violence is taking place is an aggravating circumstance.”
The court heard Aylett had racked up multiple family violence convictions since the 2023 incident, including breaching protective orders and assault.
Under Tasmania’s Family Violence Act, Justice Brett was required to consider declaring Aylett a serial perpetrator.
“I am satisfied that there is a significant risk that you will commit further family violence offences,” the judge said.
The declaration will remain in force for five years.
Justice Brett declined to make a new family violence order, noting an interim order was already in place through the Magistrates Court.
The Magistrates Court is expected to deal with that order and alleged further breaches.
