Farmer Wants a Wife Australia 2021‘s Sam Messina has been sentenced after being found guilty of three domestic violence charges.
**TRIGGER WARNING: The following details domestic violence and may be triggering to some readers.
The 27-year-old was sentenced in Port Kembla Local Court, NSW, on January 23. Magistrate Michael Ong handed the farmer an 18-month community correction order.
He was also fined $350 over the assault charges.
On November 15, 2022, Messina received guilty verdicts on three counts of assault occasioning actual bodily harm.
The incidents occurred in 2019, over a year before he appeared on the Channel 7 staple, involving his ex-girlfriend.
Messina denied ever assaulting his former partner and pleaded not guilty. However, the Illawarra Court heard she was violently abused on four separate occasions.
As exclusively reported by So Dramatic! in early 2021, a source close to Messina said Sam had been charged with four counts of assault and two counts of stalking prior to filming Farmer Wants a Wife.
Evidence that the TV star had an apprehended domestic violence order taken out against him had also come to light.
What incidents leads to Farmer Wants a Wife‘s Sam Messina being charged?
The assaults were later detailed in court reports from The Daily Telegraph, stating that in March 2019, Messina opened a door into his ex’s right foot, causing her physical harm.
In July of that same year, the reality TV star allegedly grabbed her by the clothes and threw her onto the floor. He was then accused of “shoving” her and punching her in the nose, which caused it to bleed.
The court also heard that Messina whipped his then-girlfriend with a phone charging cable, with her alleging that the relationship was characterised by “control and abuse”. However, this could not be proved beyond a reasonable doubt.
It was also revealed that the victim only reported the incidents in February 2020, after the reality star made threatening statements against her pet rabbits.
If you or anyone you know is struggling and needs support, call 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732 or Lifeline on 13 11 14, both of which provide trained counsellors you can talk with 24/7. You can also talk to someone from 1800RESPECT via online chat. If you are in immediate danger, call 000.
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