Right-wing social media personality Avi Yemini has this week been charged with assaulting his ex-wife. In court, Yemini’s former partner detailed the devastating and lasting impacts the assault has had on her life.
The 33-year-old from Melbourne pled guilty to charges that related to throwing a chopping board at his ex-wife, Sarah Lyford’s head as she prepared the couples dinner, as well as sending a series of explicit text messages where he called Ms Lyford a “P. O. S” and a “c***” as per Herald Sun. The physical assault and text-based abuse took place between July 2017 and November 2018.
It was reported that Yemini showed no emotion as he was found guilty on charges of unlawful assault, using a carriage service to harass on three occasions and breaching a personal safety order. The latter referees to a separate incident unrelated to the domestic assault incident.
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In a victim impact statement read to Moorabbin Magistrates’ Court, Ms Lyford detailed her devastating side of events, explaining she attempted to end the relationship with Yemini no fewer than eight times.
“It was like I didn’t exist as a human being, I was just a vessel for his hatred,” Ms Lyford told the court. “He terrorised me. I can’t imagine how it will be possible for me to have a relationship in the future.”
Ms Lyford also alleged that Yemini blamed her for the assault, stating “What I will never forget is that he didn’t flinch when it happened. He didn’t ask if I was okay. He just walked by; I was left to tend to my own injuries and finish making the dinner.”
Yemini has amassed a following of thousands though his social media crusades. Taking a staunch right-wing, conservative stance the former Israel Defence Force soldier caught the attention of those who share his views.
Yemini’s defence lawyer Deborah Mandie, believes that her client has already served his time, as he has already been “destroyed” in the media.
“It’s become almost a meme, humiliating my client over and over. This is part of the punishment he is wearing for this matter.”
Despite that, Magistrate Charles Tan expressed that public discourse did not warrant adequate sentencing, stating “It was offending against a female in her own home, involving her suffering an injury,” while thanking Ms Lyford for her moving statement.
Yemini was charged and fined $3,600.
