Hammer threat after speed, booze bender

Alex de Vos
A man who threatened to hit his ex-girlfriend over the head with a hammer and throw her jaw into a gutter told a Geelong court yesterday he was still friends with her.
Michael Gumbleton, 37, of East Geelong, faced Geelong Magistrates’ Court charged with threatening to inflict serious injury after sending “abusive” text messages to the victim on December 19.
Police prosecutor Sergeant Geoff Balchin told the court Gumbleton had consumed 12 cans of bourbon and cola before telling his ex-girlfriend he would “hit her over the head with a hammer and do her in”.
Sgt Balchin told the court Gumbleton also threatened to “smack her and throw her jaw into the gutter”.
“He said he was on speed at the time and intoxicated and would do it,” Sgt Balchin said.
The court heard Gumbleton told police after his arrest that he suffered schizophrenia.
He had described the text messages as “not out of the ordinary”.
Gumbleton told the court he “had a bit of trouble with alcohol that week”.
“I went on a binge and regret sending the messages,” he said.
Gumbleton told the court he was still in contact with the victim and the pair was still friends.
Magistrate Michael Coghlan fined Gumbleton $250.