A three-time Olympic rower who breached a domestic violence order and assaulted his former wife in her bed, threatening to choke her with paper, has avoided jail.
Simon Burgess previously pleaded guilty to assault, three counts of breaching the order and damaging property over the incident in southern Tasmania in December 2023.
The woman, who cannot be named, feared for her life after a black-glove-wearing Burgess arrived uninvited at her home, Magistrate Andrew McKee said during sentencing on Monday.
Burgess, who had parked some distance from the house, straddled her in bed, slapped her eight times and punched a hole in a wall.
The woman hit Burgess on the head with a nearby glass bowl. He started bleeding "profusely" but continued to assault her.
Burgess took paperwork from his pocket and told her "you're going to choke on this".
His blood dripped over the woman and her clothes during the assault, which lasted several minutes.
She ran away when Burgess was looking at her phone and flagged down a passing motorist.
Mr McKee said the pair's separation had been less than harmonious and the family violence order had been in place since January 2023.
He said things "came to a head" when Burgess received correspondence from the woman's solicitor indicating his family's farm may need to be sold.
"That letter caused you some concern and you convinced yourself the only way to deal with it was to speak to (the woman) directly," Mr McKee told Hobart Magistrates Court.
"The way you approached it … was entirely inappropriate. You breached a court order designed to protect her."
Burgess's behaviour undermined confidence family violence orders could protect victims, Mr McKee said.
After being arrested, the 57-year-old told police he knew about the order but he hadn't read it and it was "bogus".
Burgess won silver at the Sydney Olympics in 2000 and at Athens in 2004 and competed in 10 world rowing championships.
His lawyer Philippa Morgan previously told the court his week in custody after being arrested was "horrific" for someone who had never been involved in the justice system.
She said because of Burgess's public profile as one of Australia's best rowers, he had a fall from grace others might not experience.
Burgess had experienced mental health issues and considered taking his own life in 2021, she said.
Mr McKee sentenced Burgess to 90 days' jail with a reduction of seven days for time spent in custody after his arrest.
The jail term was wholly suspended on the condition Burgess doesn't commit any crimes carrying a prison sentence in the next 18 months.
Mr McKee accepted Burgess had shown genuine remorse and noted he was entitled to a discount for pleading guilty.
Multiple references provided to the court described Burgess as an "individual of good character" and someone who had volunteered extensively.
Burgess was seeing a psychiatrist, had completed a men's program and was ashamed and embarrassed about his conduct, Mr McKee said.
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