A Launceston man has been jailed for three years and nine months after what a Supreme Court judge called a “terrifying and prolonged” night of violence against his teenage former partner.
Ashley James Cashion pleaded guilty to five counts of assault, one count of aggravated assault, two counts of strangulation and one count of perverting justice.
Almost all the crimes were committed overnight on January 14, 2024, against the 19-year-old. Cashion was then 29.
Justice Robert Pearce said Cashion lured the woman to his Waverley home after their relationship ended, then interrogated her and stopped her leaving.
Cashion pointed a firearm fitted with a silencer at her head and said “I should just shoot you now shouldn’t I”, the court heard.
Pearce said Cashion sprayed the woman with capsicum spray, strangled her twice and repeatedly struck her face.
Cashion also recruited another woman to help beat the victim, offering her money to do so. She punched and kicked her while Cashion sprayed her face.
He later forced the victim to drive to Nunamara, telling her she was not coming back before saying she was lucky he loved her and had not killed her.
While in custody, Cashion phoned the woman in breach of a restraint order and offered her money to change her police statement.
“Your conduct was a classic example of the family violence abuser,” Justice Pearce said.
He said strangulation was “a particularly dangerous form of attack” that showed the kind of dominance and control Cashion sought over her.
The sentence will be added to terms Cashion is already serving. He must serve at least half of it before he can apply for parole.
Justice Pearce declared him a serial family violence perpetrator and imposed a five-year family violence order protecting the victim.
If you or someone you know is impacted by sexual assault, domestic or family violence, call 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732.
