Christopher Jayden Knight to serve jail time after brutally assaulting former partner and eight-year-old son

A 27-year-old Rockingham man will serve jail time after assaulting his eight-year-old son and punching his former partner in the face so hard her head slammed into the wall several times.

Christopher Jayden Knight appeared via video link before Rockingham Magistrates Court on December 14, charged with one count of common assault, criminal damage, unlawful assault and two counts restraining order breaches.

Prosecutor Sgt Scott Andrews told the court Knight and his former partner were at their home address in Safety Bay about 10.30am on September 25.

The couple were not together at the time of the incident but still lived at the same address in separate quarters, living and dining areas.

Knight had broken the sink tap in the kitchen. When the victim became aware of this she confronted him and said she would be informing the landlord.

This angered Knight, who then took a metal spatula and struck the victim’s phone, causing about $149 in damages.

An argument then ensued between the pair. Knight punched the victim once to the face, causing her head to hit the wall multiple times.

The couple’s eight-year-old son then entered the kitchen area and Knight hit him on the left side of his face.

As the victim intervened, Knight yelled out “who the f**k do you think you are?”.

He proceeded to grab the victim’s glasses, breaking them, and hit her again on the head.

The victim sustained bruising to her eyes, temple and left cheek.

Knight was also involved in a violent altercation with the victim earlier in the year.

About 9.20am on March 23, Knight made contact with the victim to drop off some of his belongings.

When the victim arrived at the address, Knight immediately became aggressive with her.

He snatched the victim’s phone from inside the car and grabbed the victim by the chest.

The victim was able to retrieve her phone from Knight.

He then picked up a brick and threw it at the vehicle, damaging the front bumper.

The victim was able to drive away and contact police.

Duty counsel Kim Farmer said while in custody Knight had spent a lot of time self-reflecting.

“(Knight) has a habit of not thinking things through and realising the consequences of his actions until much later,” Ms Farmer said.

“The impact that this has had on his former partner and child has made him want to change his behaviour and attitude and has been a life lesson.”

Magistrate Vivien Edwards said these were two vulnerable victims — specifically the child — who would be “affected by the behaviour for the rest of his life”.

Knight was sentenced to 13 months imprisonment with eligibility for parole and was fined $200.

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