Former Tasmanian Olympic rower Simon Burgess is given a suspended sentence for assaulting his ex-wife in 2023.

A two-time Olympic rowing medalist who entered his ex-wife’s home wearing rubber gloves and attacked her has avoided further prison time.

WARNING: This story contains details of domestic violence and assault

Simon Burgess, 57, pleaded guilty to one count of assault, three counts of breaching a domestic violence order and one count of criminal damage to property.

The court heard that the attack on a house in Franklin, Tasmania’s Huon Valley, had a significant impact on the victim.

Burgess entered the woman’s home at around 8pm on December 2 last year, contrary to a domestic violence order.

The woman was in her bedroom at the time and the court heard Burgess straddled her and punched her eight times in the head.

Judge Andrew McKee said the woman pleaded with him to stop.

The court was told Burgess took a piece of paper from his pocket and told the woman she was “going to choke on it”, which she assumed was a letter from her lawyer about the potential sale of the family farm.

Burgess punched a hole in the wall above her head.

She hit him over the head with a glass bowl, then managed to escape from the house and get help from a passing driver.

Burgess was arrested and questioned, told police he had not read the domestic violence order and described it as “false.”

Judge McKee said the comment was indicative of Burgess’s attitude towards the order and that the attack was intended to put the victim in fear.

“Your conduct was intended to exert a level of control or physical dominance over her as a result of receiving correspondence from her lawyer regarding the potential sale of the family farm,” he said.

“Such behavior undermines public confidence in the ability of domestic violence decisions to protect victims of domestic violence.”

The time spent in custody “motivated” Burgess not to re-offend

The court described Burgess as a remorseful person, ashamed of the impact his actions had on his wider family, had attended a men’s behavioral program and had seen a psychiatrist, and many people in the community provided positive character references.

Burgess represented Australia at three Olympic Games, winning a silver medal twice and captaining the men’s rowing team in 2004.

After his arrest, he spent seven days in custody.

Judge McKee said the time spent in custody had “motivated (Burgess) to refrain from re-offending”.

He was found guilty and sentenced to 90 days in prison, of which 83 days were suspended for 18 months, on condition that he commits no further offenses punishable by imprisonment.

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