Matthew Ruutz: Magistrate’s stark warning after violent attack on partner

A 27-year-old man with a history of domestic violence has found himself back before Rockingham Magistrates Court after punching his partner in the face. Matthew Boyd William Ruutz appeared via video link before Rockingham Magistrates Court on Wednesday, October 19, and pleaded guilty to one count of common assault and breaching a community order. Prosecutor Sergeant Naomi Foster told the court Ruutz and the victim became involved in an argument about 6.20pm on Monday, September 19. The victim got into their car with their three children in an attempt to leave. Ruutz approached the victim while she was in the driver’s seat and punched her once in the face, splitting her lip and causing pain and swelling. A witness saw the altercation and police were called. Legal Aid solicitor Faye Sellers said the couple had ”reconciled” since the incident but had decided to live separately to “work on the relationship”. Ms Sellers said Ruutz had suffered from “anxiety, depression and anger issues” and at the time of the incident the couple had been under “a lot of stress over unstable accommodation”. “He has underlying issues that he wants to address and the couple plan to seek professional relationship counselling,” she said. Ms Sellers said his time in custody had been a big wake-up call for Ruutz. Submissions made by the prosecution referred to the attack as a “serious example of family violence” and Sgt Foster said this was the second time Ruutz had appeared before the court for a family violence matter. Sgt Foster told the court that on September 29, 2021, Ruutz and the victim were involved in an argument when she attempted to walk to the nearest bus stop with the couple’s children. Ruutz proceeded to follow her and snatched her purse and mobile phone from her. The victim attempted to ask the bus driver for a free ride but was denied and as a result she continued walking with the kids in an attempt to reach the Rockingham police station. Ruutz followed her and punched her four times to the head. Witnesses from a local business rushed outside to help the victim and children while Ruutz fled from the scene. Magistrate Heidi Watson said the victim was “vulnerable” and the “threat to harm her” was serious. Ms Watson warned Ruutz he “can’t treat women this way” and he was “likely to be imprisoned” if he comes back to court. Ruutz was fined $500 and placed on two concurrent intensive supervision orders — one 12 months and the second 14 months — with 40 hours of community work. 1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732)