Ballarat police prosecutor appeals prison sentence for family violence offences

A former Ballarat police prosecutor jailed for family violence-related offences, including persistently breaching a family violence order, has won an appeal in the County Court.

A Ballarat magistrate sentenced Shaun Perry to five months in jail on December 7, 2018, for contacting the complainant hundreds of times by phone calls and text messages, visiting her at her house and damaging her mobile phone - while a family violence order was in place.

The former police officer's prison sentence was reduced to 83 days' imprisonment, declared as time already served, at the County Court in Ballarat on Friday.

After reading a letter from Perry's parents, who confirmed their son had made positive changes to his life, Judge Phillip Coish told Perry his parents and dog had saved him from going to prison on Friday.

"You have been out (on appeal bail) for one year and you have finally got yourself together. Stay on the straight and narrow and keep your work," Judge Coish said.

The judge said he found forensic psychologist David Ball's evidence helpful in determining Perry's appeal.

Dr Ball told the court Perry experienced quite severe post-traumatic stress disorder from his career as a police officer.

He said Perry's PTSD, which included the symptom emotional deregulation, was affecting Perry at the time of his offending in August and September 2018.

"It's emotional deregulation that is underpinning his offending," Dr Ball said. "Mr Perry's emotional deregulation travels with him 24/7. He can't leave it at the front door."

The court was told Perry regularly travelled from Ararat to Melbourne for counselling appointments, was employed and had strong support from his parents.

Perry, 51, had pleaded guilty to eight charges, including three counts of persistently contravening a family violence order and one count each of criminal damage and committing an indictable offence while on bail.

Perry's father supported him in court on Friday.