A Shepparton man who broke into a home wielding an axe in the early hours of Australia Day, 2021, has been jailed.
Shannon Andrew Martin, 26, pleaded guilty at Shepparton County Court to aggravated burglary, resisting an emergency worker on duty and assaulting a police officer.
Judge Wendy Wilmoth said it was clear Martin’s “self-centered and entitled actions” had severe effects on the victim — a 29-year-old pregnant woman.
The victim told the court since the crime she couldn’t trust people, became paranoid and struggled to find stable housing since leaving her home.
She also said the crime exacerbated her bipolar and post-traumatic stress disorders.
The court heard Martin had been drinking alcohol with a friend in Shepparton when they walked to a Numurkah Rd address about 3.55am on January 26, 2021.
The woman who lived there was known to Martin, who visited her former partner there regularly.
Martin carried an axe with him and disconnected the CCTV system which had captured him walking around to the back of the house.
He accused the victim and her former partner of setting him up after the police did a “run through” of his home.
After the victim told Martin to go home he followed her into her bedroom and stood over her holding the axe.
He continued to accuse her of having something to do with the police presence at his house while she repeatedly screamed at him to leave — which he eventually did.
When police went to Martin’s friend’s house about 4.30am to arrest Martin, he was verbally aggressive and resisted police when they tried to search him.
In a holding cell at Shepparton Police Station, Martin put his underwear around his neck, headbutted the cell door and charged at a concrete wall, hitting his head.
Police used capsicum spray to subdue him and handcuffed him, before pouring water over his face.
He spat a mouthful of water into the waist of one of the police officers.
The court heard Martin had an extensive history of drug use including using methamphetamine daily and was on a community corrections order at the time of the offence.
A psychologist’s report found the experience in prison would be more difficult for Martin who was diagnosed with major depressive disorder in 2021 and is medicated for anxiety.
A “keen desire” to bring up his three children and play a role in their life was a motivation for Martin’s rehabilitation.
He was sentenced to two years and two months in jail with 422 days already served.
He is eligible for parole.