'Coercive' judge found guilty of assaulting ex-partner

A coercive and controlling judge who shook, punched his then-partner and pushed her causing her to hit her head on a mantelpiece has been found guilty of assault.

Tasmania Supreme Court Justice Gregory Geason was also on Wednesday found guilty of emotional abuse or intimidation.

Geason had pleaded not guilty to both charges, but Magistrate Susan Wakeling said his evidence about the October 31 assault at a Hobart home was "contrived and implausible".

The woman, who cannot be named, previously told Hobart Magistrates Court Geason became enraged after he spotted a silly "selfie" on her phone from a male colleague.

Geason grabbed her, punched her chest and pushed her resulting in her hitting her head on a mantelpiece.

Ms Wakeling accepted the woman's evidence as truthful, noting she was unable to recall some details because of a concussion diagnosed in the aftermath.

"They were acts done in anger," Ms Wakeling told the court.

Geason disputed the woman's evidence, previously telling the court she hit her head after falling into a table while "unsteady", potentially because she had too much to drink.

He said that while sitting he had "put up a hand" to indicate he needed space and later helped her up from the ground.

Supreme Court Justice Gregory Geason (left)
Gregory Geason's evidence about the assault was "contrived and implausible," the magistrate said. (Ethan James/AAP PHOTOS)

He also said no punches were thrown and the woman "bruised easily".

Ms Wakeling accepted expert medical evidence that bruises to 18 separate areas of the woman's body were very likely the result of an assault.

She also said there was no evidence the woman bruised easily.

Geason denied being jealous in their relationship, but described the frequency of his communication with her as intense.

Ms Wakeling said Geason acted coercively with the purpose of "securing control" over the woman.

He emotionally abused and intimidated the woman by tracking her movements and on one occasion called her a "slut" while she cried on a park bench.

Supreme Court Justice Gregory Geason
Gregory Geason has given a written undertaking to not exercise duties of a judge. (Ethan James/AAP PHOTOS)

He also pressured her to sign a house contract, and was jealous, angry and aggressive during their relationship, Ms Wakeling said.

Geason argued the pair had consented to use a location app on their respective phones and he had helped the woman set it up.

The woman often drank alcohol, at times to excess, but it didn't affect her credibility as a witness, Ms Wakeling said.

Geason has been on leave from his job since early November and has given a written undertaking to not exercise duties of a judge.

His bail was continued and he is expected to be sentenced on November 14.

He declined to comment outside court after the magistrate's verdicts.

Geason's future as a judge is unclear

Tasmania's government in December tried to suspend Geason from duties but abandoned the attempt after his lawyers threatened legal action.

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