A man who assaulted his partner moments before she died when hit by a car in Alice Springs has been sentenced to two years in prison.
Jonah Multa, 29, appeared before Judge John McBride in the Alice Springs Local Court on Thursday, where he was sentenced for an assault of his partner on the verge of Gap Road in the town's centre.
The court heard the 25-year-old woman, who cannot be named for cultural reasons, moved away from Multa and onto the busy road when she was struck by a passing motorist about 9:45pm on May 23.
The woman died at the Alice Springs Hospital later that night.
Judge McBride told the court that had it not been for the aggravated assault "she may not have been positioned in such a way that she was killed by an innocent motorist who would not have been expecting to see a woman lying or sitting up on a busy roadway".
Multa was arrested that night.
He subsequently pleaded guilty to charges of aggravated assault, armed with an offensive weapon at night, driving under the influence of alcohol and engaging in conduct that contravenes a domestic violence order.
'Frightened the wits out of her'
Judge McBride told the court the woman was walking away from Multa and towards Gap Road when he ran towards her, armed with a hammer.
The court heard Multa raised the hammer above his head and either struck or attempted to strike the woman.
Judge McBride said Multa's actions "frightened the wits out of her that night".
"The victim managed to stand up and quickly move onto Gap Road holding her side in evident pain, she lay down on the surface of the road in the northbound lane," he said.
Judge McBride said the woman was hit by a passing vehicle shortly after moving onto the road.
The court heard Multa stayed at the scene and identified the hammer to police, before admitting to assaulting his partner.
Multa was reportedly captured on police body worn camera showing attending officers how he used the hammer to assault the woman.
"You are a man of very poor character, Mr Multa," Judge McBride said.
Multa produced a blood alcohol reading of .15 at the Alice Springs watch house.
Prior history
The court heard it was not Multa's first assault against a woman.
Judge McBridge said Multa had been found guilty of five other assaults against women between 2016 and 2020.
"And interspersed with these offences have been several convictions for breaching court orders of protection of women who sought the court's protection from you," he said.
"This offending is further evidence of your contempt through your behaviour for a woman's right to be protected in our society."
Judge McBride said there was nothing to excuse the behaviour.
He sentenced Multa to two years in prison which would be suspended after 12 months.
Hit-and-run charges
A police investigation led to Robert Mumu, 64, being charged over the woman's death.
Mr Mumu has been charged with hit-and-run driving causing death, driving unlicensed, and destroying evidence.
He has not entered any pleas to the charges.
His matters are next due to be mentioned in court on January 19, 2023.
