Rodney Hudson Walters punched 12-year-old stepdaughter during domestic violence incident

A Wellard man involved in 30 domestic violence incidents last year has been called out over his appalling behaviour after his 12-year-old stepdaughter was punched to the face during an altercation with her mother. Rodney Hudson Walters, 39, appeared via link before Rockingham Magistrates Court on Wednesday, pleading guilty to one count of common assault in circumstances of aggravation. Prosecutor Sen. Const. Jessica Anderson told the court that the 12-year-old victim and her younger siblings have witnessed multiple domestic violence incidents between Walters and their mother. The former couple’s relationship was described as volatile with multiple reports of domestic violence. In the past 12 months there have been 30 reports of police attendance at their home. Between April 1 and May 31, 2022 Walters and the victim’s mother became involved in a verbal argument which turned physical. The victim saw Walters and her mother fighting and tried to intervene. Walters pushed the victim out of the way. As she attempted to retreat from the altercation, she was punched to the side of the face causing the her to fall to the ground. The victim’s younger brother witnessed the assault. The victim told the Department of Communities about the incident following a referral from the child protection investigations team. On November 22, Walters was arrested by police, where he declined to provide an explanation over the incident. Legal aid lawyer Paul Gazia said that on that particular day Walters had gone to the shed where his partner had been drinking and he kept saying “you’re on, you’re on”, causing things to escalate from there. “According to police they are just as bad as each other, your honour, they are just a toxic domestic violence relationship,” Mr Gazia said. “(Walters) says she was drinking and flew into a rage and told him to leave the home. “He says he had nowhere to go because it was too late.” Mr Gazia said Walters was then chased with a Juna (a traditional Aboriginal weapon), before locking himself in the bathroom. “When he got out of the bathroom to escape, he has unfortunately committed this assault,” he said. Magistrate Linda Keane said: “The children have had to witness this behaviour, the victim has tried to step in and stop things from escalating and been hit.” “It’s clear that you have issues with partners that you need to sort out,” she said. “You need to make meaningful change in your life. It’s up to you Mr Walters.” Walters was ordered to complete a 12-month community based order. 1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732)