Chad Geoffrey Smyth denied bail, charged with serious domestic violence offences
A truckie allegedly exacted his revenge after being dumped by forcing his terrified ex-girlfriend into the boot and driving around for hours, a court heard.
Barossa, Clare & Gawler
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A father enraged after his girlfriend broke up with him allegedly exacted his revenge by binding her and stuffing her in a car boot, a court heard.
Chad Geoffrey Smyth, 42, applied for bail in the Adelaide Magistrates Court on Tuesday, after allegedly holding the woman hostage on two occasions.
A prosecutor said they were opposed to all forms of bail.
The court heard the alleged victim messaged Mr Smyth on May 3 that she wanted to end the relationship.
Mr Smyth arrived at her Largs Bay address and was verbally abusive towards her before pulling out a roll of tape.
“He’s then put the gaffer tape around her wrists and over her mouth,” the prosecutor said.
The court heard Mr Smyth then dragged the alleged victim to the boot of his car and told her to get in.
The alleged victim was crying and refusing to get in.
“He’s then threatened her saying if she didn’t get in he would bash her,” the prosecutor said.
The court heard Mr Smyth then drove around with the alleged victim in the boot for two hours before he drove her to his home address where she was forced to stay the night.
The prosecutor told the court Mr Smyth also bound the alleged victim to the bed in June, with tape covering her mouth, because he wasn’t happy about her going to work.
The court heard he let her go after an hour.
Police searched Mr Smyth’s car after arresting him and found used tape with brown hair stuck to it.
The Lewiston father-of-two is charged with two counts of false imprisonment.
Benjamin Newell, for Mr Smyth, told the court he had a mortgage and was concerned he would lose his house if he remained in custody.
“The complainant is an unreliable witness and an alcoholic and drug user who is an unstable personality,” he said.
Mr Newell said there was a chance the charges wouldn’t proceed as the alleged victim had previously gotten “cold feet”.
The court heard Mr Smyth had a job as a truck driver available if released.
Magistrate John Wells denied Mr Smyth bail, due to his risk of reoffending and the seriousness of allegations.
The charges were adjourned until January.