Content Warning: This article discusses assault. If you or someone you know are affected by the following story, you are not alone. To speak to someone, you can call Lifeline on 13 11 14, or 1800 RESPECT on 1800 737 732.
As per The Daily Telegraph, court reports detail that Messina opened a door into his former partner’s right foot in March of that year, causing her physical pain.
Four month later, Messina allegedly threw her onto the floor, and also allegedly punched her in the nose, causing to severely bleed.
Messina also allegedly whipped her with a phone charging cable, and has been accused of conducting a pattern of control and abuse.
The unnamed victim continued to live with Messina and another person following the alleged incidents, but eventually moved out to live with her mother.
During his court appearance, Messina plead not guilty to four counts of assault. He did plead guilty to two counts of intimidation, which included turning up at his ex-girlfriend’s mother’s house and threatening to kill her pet rabbits.
Police prosecutor Sergeant Ben Bragger insisted that the unnamed victim’s delay in bringing forth the allegations against Messina shouldn’t in any way impact her “credibility”, adding that she was a victim of a “toxic relationship.”
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Messina’s representative, Ed Anderson, conversely argued that she only made the allegations because there was “nothing” the police could do. Anderson also questioned why she didn’t immediately move out if Messina had been mistreating her so much.
Messina will find out his sentencing this week. Messina’s stint on Farmer Wants a Wife wasn’t without controversy, with claims arising that he was not actually a farmer and was instead a truck driver.
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