A serial domestic violence offender from East Corrimal has been returned to prison after violently assaulting his new girlfriend during a confrontation about missing drugs, while he was already on parole for previous domestic violence offences.
Violent Confrontation Over Missing Substances
Joshua Craig Condello, aged 40, appeared before Wollongong Local Court on January 22 via audio-visual link from prison, where he pleaded guilty to a charge of common assault in a domestic violence context. According to court documents, the incident occurred in January when Condello and his girlfriend were at her residence.
The situation escalated when Condello accused the woman of stealing his drugs. In an attempt to diffuse the tension and gather her thoughts, the victim left the home and went to Phil Adams Park. However, Condello followed her to the location.
Physical Assault and Police Response
Court records indicate that Condello initially approached his girlfriend with apologies and attempted to hug her. When she told him to stop, a physical struggle ensued. During this altercation, Condello punched the woman directly in the forehead, causing noticeable swelling and injury.
Police were promptly called to the scene and conducted patrols in search of Condello, but he could not be located immediately following the assault. The court documents further revealed that Condello was on parole for domestic violence offences at the time this latest incident occurred, highlighting a pattern of concerning behaviour.
Sentencing and Judicial Remarks
During sentencing proceedings, Condello's legal representative, lawyer Olivia Rinaldi, submitted that her client had been "heavily" affected by drugs at the time of the assault. She argued that Condello was now motivated to address his substance issues through residential rehabilitation programs.
However, Magistrate B Robinson noted Condello's extensive criminal history, which includes 34 prior charges and a documented pattern of domestic violence. In delivering the sentence, Magistrate Robinson emphasised the seriousness of domestic violence, describing it as a "terrible thing" that warranted a custodial sentence.
"You really need to grapple with that drug problem," Magistrate Robinson told Condello during the proceedings. "You've been [to jail] before, you know what that's about."
Prison Term Imposed
The court sentenced Condello to ten months imprisonment with a non-parole period of six months. Based on this sentencing structure, he will become eligible for release on July 14. This decision reflects the court's stance on addressing repeat domestic violence offences, particularly those occurring while offenders are already under supervision for similar crimes.
The case underscores ongoing concerns about domestic violence in the Illawarra region and the challenges of rehabilitation for offenders with extensive criminal histories and substance abuse issues.
