Oak Harbor man pays price for head-butting girlfriend

A 21-year-old Oak Harbor man who “head-butted” his ex-girlfriend in the face received a jail sentence this week.

Andrew Monroe pleaded guilty in Island County Superior Court March 12 to third-degree assault, a domestic violence charge.

Judge Vickie Churchill agreed with the sentence recommendation and handed Monroe a two-month sentence, with credit for time served. He was ordered to pay $1,317 in fines and fees.

In addition, the judge approved a no-contact order that bars Monroe from contacting either the victim or the child they have in common for five years.

Monroe was originally charged with second-degree assault because he broke the victim’s nose, court documents indicate. But Senior Deputy Prosecutor Eric Ohme said the woman was satisfied with the plea bargain.

Monroe’s attorney, Peter Simpson of Coupeville, said the time his client spent in jail gave him the opportunity to reflect on what really happened.

“It was a wake-up call,” he said.

The assault occurred Jan. 11 at an apartment on Oak Harbor Road. Monroe’s ex-girlfriend said he had grabbed her by the throat and then “head-butted” her in the face when she swatted his hand away.

Monroe originally claimed that the victim hurt herself in order to get him in trouble. But Sgt. Mike Beech with the Island County Sheriff’s Office noted in his report that he pushed aside Monroe’s blue hair and saw a small bump and scratch on his forehead, his report indicates.

 

Contact Whidbey News Times Staff reporter Nathan Whalen at nwhalen@whidbeynewsgroup.com or 360-675-6611 ext. 5058.

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