A local man will spend four months under house arrest for his actions on a spring night two years ago.
Shortly before 10 p.m. on March 5, 2023, Martin James showed up at a former partner's Second Line West residence.
The woman was in her kitchen doing dishes, when he entered her home through an unlocked patio door.
James, who had been drinking, startled her, then went down to the basement to use the washroom, a judge heard last week.
She tried to get him to leave but he passed out on a bed.
He then repeatedly struck her in the head and face, and pulled her hair, prosecutor Heidi Mitchell said.
She tried to fight back. The majority of the blows landed on her nose, covering her face in blood.
James fled and she called 911, Superior Court Justice Michael Varpio heard Wednesday when he pleaded guilty to assault causing bodily harm.
The Crown and defence lawyer Bruce Willson recommended a four-month conditional sentence, followed by three years probation.
Mitchell said the matter was set for a jury trial, and the guilty plea has saved valuable judicial resources.
While this is certainly mitigating, there also were aggravating factors, she told the court.
James, 58, has a recent and related record.
"The sanctity of her home was violated, she was assaulted, and there would have been significant triable issues," the assistant Crown attorney said.
When he imposed the sentence, Varpio noted this was the accused's second finding of guilt in the past two years, which is "unusual for a man of your age."
An assault on a previous partner is serious and the sentence must reflect that she ended up with a bloody nose, he said.
When there are triable issues and someone steps up and pleads guilty it shows remorse, the judge told the Algoma Steel worker.
In a case like this a plea of guilty is "much more meaningful."
The court "is not dealing with a seasoned criminal by any measure," Varpio said, but it has "to send a message to you and the community that you just can't do these things."
During his sentence, James can only leave his residence for medical emergencies and appointments, to travel to and from his job and to attend substance abuse and domestic violence counselling.
He must provide a copy of his work schedule to his sentence supervisor.
James is prohibited from communicating with the woman and must remain 100 metres away from her.
As well, he can't have any alcohol or weapons.
"If you mess up tomorrow you will be doing four months jail," Varpio warned him.
During his 36-month probation, he will have similar conditions for counselling, and requirements that he have no contact with the woman.
Varpio also imposed a 10-year weapons prohibition and ordered him to provide a DNA sample for the national registry.