Feb 23 • 19:17 UTC 🇦🇺 Australia ABC News AU

DV attacker photographed victim giving evidence, found guilty of contempt of court

A man was found guilty of contempt of court for photographing a domestic violence victim while she was giving evidence and sending her threatening messages during the trial.

A man has been convicted of contempt of court after photographing a domestic violence victim testifying in a trial where he is the accused. The prosecution highlighted his severe misconduct, which included not only the photographing but also the filming of the prosecutor near the courtroom entrance. This behavior was described as a 'very serious example' of contempt and has prompted calls from South Australia's top prosecutor for a jail sentence.

During the trial, the convicted man also sent threatening messages to the victim, which she did not see until later. These messages contained threats to her safety, including messages where he insinuated he would harm her. Specifically, he threatened to 'shiv' her and used aggressive language such as 'you're dead', further emphasizing the intimidating nature of his actions. The court's serious view of this behavior underscores the heightened scrutiny given to cases of domestic violence and the importance of protecting victims' rights in legal proceedings.

The man, who is 31 years old and is not named in the news report to protect the victim's identity, is scheduled to be sentenced next month. The prosecution's strong stance on seeking a jail sentence reflects the judicial system's commitment to upholding the law and reinforcing that such contemptuous acts toward victims and court officials will not be tolerated. This case may serve as a precedent in handling similar incidents in the future, ensuring greater safety and support for victims of domestic violence during trial processes.

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