Jail suspended for DV attack

A Geraldton man and local musician has pleaded guilty to kicking his former partner and breaking her rib after an argument erupted at her home in Spalding. Carrum James Mourambine, a 46-year-old father of four, was handed a suspended prison sentence in Geraldton Magistrates Court after pleading guilty to punching and kicking his former partner. On the evening of Feburary 20, Mourambine was out drinking at a friend’s house before visiting his ex-partner at her residence, when an argument broke out between the two at the dining table. The woman left the home through the front door before being pursued by Mourambine who punched her on the right-hand side of her face. Trying to escape, she ran back inside the house and closed the door behind her to try to stop Mourambine entering the property. The court was told Mourambine pushed his way inside before following his former partner into the bedroom where he grabbed her and lifted her off the ground. After letting the woman go, Mourambine went into another room and took a one-year-old child before walking out the front door. The victim ran after the two before being kicked by Mourambine, causing her to fall, breaking a rib and grazing her jaw. Mourambine left with the child but was arrested the next day. Defence lawyer Kate Fry said Mourambine was a stand-up member in the community and this violent incident was “very out of character” and she presented a number of character references. Ms Fry said Mourambine was experiencing work and personal stress at the time which manifested into heavy use of alcohol. Magistrate Brionie Ayling said while the charge was serious enough to warrant imprisonment, given Mourambine’s lack of prior convictions, character references, his attempts to cut back on alcohol and his employment, she was reluctant to incarcerate him. However, she said there needed to be a “deterrence” to show “we do not accept violence”. Mourambine was issued a seven-month suspended sentence which will remain in place for 12 months.