Alexander Hempelis: Suspended imprisonment for violent confrontation in front of week-old baby

A man has avoided prison after a violent confrontation in which he flung his mother-in-law into a wall and assaulted his wife as she held their week-old baby. Alexander Michael Hempelis, 42, appeared via video link from Albany Regional Prison in Albany Magistrates Court on Thursday on six charges of breaching protective bail conditions and police order, aggravated assault causing bodily harm, common aggravated assault and assaulting a public officer. Police prosecutor Sgt Warrick Walker told the court Hempelis got into a violent altercation with his mother-in-law and wife in the early hours of March 17. Hempelis verbally abused his wife before grabbing her arm while she held the baby and telling his 59-year-old mother-in-law to “f*** off”. When his mother-in-law intervened, Hempelis flung her against a wall, where she hit her shoulder and head. Hempelis then forced her down on to a bed, injuring her ankle. When police arrived, Hempelis punched one of the officers in the face before he was tasered, handcuffed and arrested. Hempelis was released on bail the same day from Albany police station without a phone or wallet and walked 20km before getting a lift to collect his things, breaching protective bail conditions and a police order. Hempelis’ defence lawyer Graeme Payne said his client was “heavily intoxicated” and did not recall the events but did not dispute the facts. “I’m a bit disgusted in myself, I need help,” Hempelis said. “I love my family, I apologise to everyone involved.” Hempelis was previously fined $2000 for assaulting a public officer in June 2023 and has common assault convictions from 2002 and 2016. In a victim impact statement read to the court, the mother-in-law said the incident had shaken both her and her daughter and felt he could have killed them and the baby. She also said she felt relieved when Hempelis was tasered and hoped he received help. Magistrate Erin O’Donnell said punching the police officer “compounded” the violence and the fact that Hempelis did not remember anything showed he needed help. Hempelis was sentenced to one year and four months imprisonment, suspended for 12 months. A two-year family violence restraining order was granted in favour of Hempelis’ wife. If you or someone you know is experiencing family violence, phone 1800 RESPECT or the Crisis Care Helpline on 1800 199 008.