Alan Gregory Jones: Man avoids immediate jail over ‘cowardly’ and ‘terrifying’ attack on then-partner

A man who carried out a “cowardly” and “terrifying” attack on his then-partner which resulted in her taken away in an ambulance has avoided immediate jail. Alan Gregory Jones was sentenced in Kalgoorlie Magistrates Court on Thursday via video link from Midland for two counts of aggravated assault and thereby did bodily harm, which he was found guilty of after a trial earlier this year. His lawyer, who appeared via video link, said Jones continued to maintain his innocence but accepted the result of the trial. Magistrate Paul Lyons on Thursday retold the details of Jones’ November 2023 offending, which he said involved Jones throwing a lighter at his then-partner’s head, causing a laceration, in a Coolgardie home. He said a protracted assault took place some time later, with Jones repeatedly punching the victim, pulling her hair, putting his hand around her neck and shoulder, and pushing his foot into her already injured back while she lay on the ground before kneeing her in the face. The attack was so serious the victim left the house in an ambulance. Mr Lyons said the victim was particularly vulnerable to Jones’ “cowardly and persistent” attack which he said saw Jones use “numerous forms of violence” and pursue her through the house as she tried to get away. He said the attack would have been terrifying for the victim, who had supplied an impact statement about the physical and emotional toll it had on her, as well as the stress of having to leave the Goldfields and seek support from women’s refuges. “She didn’t deserve this. She did nothing wrong,” Mr Lyons said. Mr Lyons said there was not much in the way of mitigation for Jones, but accepted he did not have any violent offending on his criminal record. He also accepted Jones was experiencing significant stress of late with his terminally ill partner requiring a heart transplant. He said Jones had clear treatment needs and believed he would benefit from a conditionally suspended imprisonment order with program and supervision requirements, particularly given he had already spent 60 days in custody for the charges. Jones was given 10 months imprisonment, conditionally suspended for 10 months. He was also fined $900 for traffic and driving related offences, with his licence disqualified for nine months. 1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732)