Isham Singh pleads guilty to drunken assault on wife

A 41-year-old man who police said had to be detained for several hours due to his extreme level of intoxication has been fined over a drunken assault on his wife. Isham Singh appeared before Rockingham Magistrates Court on Wednesday, October 19, charged with one count of common assault. Prosecutor Sergeant Naomi Foster told the court that at 8pm on Sunday, August 21, Singh had been at home drinking when he suddenly turned abusive and aggressive towards the victim and her parents, who had been visiting from India. Singh proceeded to yell at the victim that she was a “bad wife” and a “prostitute”. The victim told Singh to go to bed but this only angered him further. He grabbed the victim’s bracelet and it shattered, cutting her wrist. The victim told Singh she was going to call the police if he didn’t calm down. He went to a room to lie down but after a short time woke up and again became aggressive with the victim. Singh struck the victim once to the right side of the head. She sought refuge in her parent’s room while Singh tried to get in. He eventually gave up and returned to his room. Police attended the family home and Singh was taken to Kwinana police station. Due to his level of intoxication, Singh had to be detained in the station’s drug and alcohol holding unit to sober up before being cleared for release. Legal Aid solicitor Faye Sellers appeared for Singh and said the behaviour was “very out of character for him” and he had no previous record. Ms Sellers sought to have a spent conviction as Singh is currently a dependent spouse with his wife on a student visa and he wanted to apply for permanent residency. “His wife was very supportive of him and did want to drop the charges but understood that was not legally possible,” Ms Sellers said. “He has told us that he is never going to touch alcohol again as this behaviour has scared him. “He has expressed remorse and understands the seriousness of his behaviour.” Ms Sellers said a recorded conviction of this “very serious charge” would be very difficult for him to explain to future employers. Magistrate Heidi Watson said the incident was a clear display of “abusive” and “aggressive” behaviour and even after he had time to calm down he still engaged with such behaviour. “I suspect she (the victim) would have been very frightened and your son would have too,” Ms Watson said. “I am aware that you were intoxicated at the time, but that is not an excuse.” Ms Watson said she had taken into account there was no prior record and it was out of character for Singh but denied the application for a spent conviction. Singh was fined $1000. 1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732)