A man who assaulted his own wheelchair-bound mother was handed a 12-month suspended sentence in court on Thursday.
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Robert Steven Baker, of Ulladulla, was charged with intimidating his mother with the intention of causing her to fear physical or mental harm.
Mr Baker was at his mother’s home at 9.15am on November 28 when she asked him to not smoke inside.
This didn’t sit well with Mr Baker, who replied, “I’ll do whatever the f*** I like”.
The 57-year-old then entered his mother’s bedroom, where she was, and grabbed her wheelchair and shook it.
Mr Baker chucked his mother's handbag across the bed and made a clenched fist and put it next to her face.
He said “I’ll deck you” and left the bedroom.
The 77-year-old mother phoned police, who arrived a short time later.
His mother told police she was scared for her safety.
It occurred in your mother's house. That is a place she should feel safe. Your mother is a very vulnerable person and is in a wheelchair. It is appalling. It’s criminal.
- Magistrate Gabriel Fleming
Upon his arrest, Mr Baker said, “I didn’t assault anyone.”
In Milton Local Court on Thursday, May 25 Magistrate Gabriel Fleming said there was no alternative to jail.
Mr Baker’s solicitor requested the magistrate consider a suspended sentence.
“Mr Baker has told me he would comply with a suspended sentence,” the solicitor said.
Mrs Fleming told Mr Baker his crime was a serious domestic violence offence.
“It occurred in your mother's house. That is a place she should feel safe,” she said.
“Your mother is a very vulnerable person.
“She is in a wheelchair and you got right in her face.
“She is a 77-year-old unwell woman and you say, ‘I’ll deck you’.
“It is appalling. It’s criminal.”
Mrs Fleming said domestic violence affected the entire community and the court needed to send a strong message.
She sentenced him to 12 months in jail, suspended on strict conditions.
“If you commit any further offences, you will serve that term,” Mrs Fleming warned.