A Wollongong magistrate has delivered a powerful rebuke to the dangerous perception that Apprehended Domestic Violence Orders (ADVOs) are meaningless documents, warning a local woman she was on the "slippery slope" to incarceration.
Court's patience wears thin over blatant breach
Magistrate Michael Love did not mince words in Wollongong Local Court on January 12, 2026, stating clearly he was "sick and tired of people thinking an AVO is just a piece of paper." The remarks were directed at a woman, who cannot be named, who pleaded guilty to contravening her ADVO.
Court documents detailed that the woman and her ex-boyfriend arranged to meet at a home in Unanderra in the early hours of July 28, directly violating the no-contact condition of her order. The pair later drove to Dapto where an argument erupted, before she was returned to an address in Figtree.
A stark judicial warning issued
Despite submissions from her solicitor, Jack Murray, that the woman planned to enter a detox program and that her behaviour was linked to drug use, Magistrate Love emphasised the seriousness of the offence. "You need to stop doing this because I will lose my patience and every other court will," he told the defendant.
The magistrate stressed the critical need for deterrence in such cases, highlighting that courts across the state view breaches with utmost gravity. His comments underscore a judicial crackdown on the flouting of court-ordered protections designed to shield victims of domestic violence.
Conviction and fine serve as a consequence
In line with his firm stance, Magistrate Love proceeded to convict the woman. He imposed a $750 fine as a direct penalty for her actions. The case also revealed that police had issued an arrest warrant for the woman after suspecting she was actively avoiding them following the breach.
This ruling serves as a clear message from the Illawarra judiciary: ADVOs are legally binding orders with real consequences. Treating them with contempt not only undermines the justice system but also places individuals at immediate risk of losing their liberty.
