Glen Michael Calnan granted home detention bail for “serious” assault charges
The victim of a “serious” assault allegedly received anonymous death threats – unless his accused attacker is released on bail, a court has heard.
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A man has been released on bail for a “serious” assault charge, despite the victim allegedly receiving death threats unless his accused attacker was released.
Glen Michael Calnan, 43, appeared by videolink in Adelaide Magistrates Court on Thursday to apply for bail.
A police prosecutor opposed the bail application, saying the alleged victim needed to be protected.
“He’s highly concerned, presents extremely stressed and is worried about various persons possibly harming him or his property,” the police prosecutor said.
Calnan’s defence lawyer said the alleged victim’s claims of threatening anonymous phone calls had not been orchestrated by Calnan.
“There is no evidence at all that any request for those people to make those communications has come from Mr Calnan,” he said.
The court heard that Calnan’s defence team had asked prosecution for records of all his calls from jail, which hadn’t been received yet.
The court heard the only contact Calnan, of Greenock, had in jail was with his partner, mother and brother.
Calnan’s defence lawyer told the court that Calnan was a stay at home dad to his two daughters.
The court heard Calnan’s daughter has health conditions where she may need to be hospitalised at any time.
Calnan is currently charged with serious criminal trespassing, aggravated assault that causes harm, threat to cause harm and stalking a person to influence the outcome of proceedings.
A co-defendant is also charged with the assault that allegedly happened in Annadale.
Neither defendants have entered any pleas.
Magistrate Elizabeth Sheppard said whether to grant Calnan bail was a difficult decision to make when taking into account the alleged death threats.
“It is very concerning that a phone call was (allegedly) received recently threatening that he (the alleged victim) will be killed if this defendant doesn’t get out on bail, essentially,” she said.
“It’s not to say that it was initiated by this defendant or upon his instructions, but nevertheless it is very concerning.”
Ms Sheppard granted Calnan home detention bail, saying it was only because of his daughter’s health conditions.
“Otherwise it would have been necessary to deny bail for the protection of the complainant and because of the seriousness of the allegations,” she said.
Ms Sheppard said if Calnan was linked with any intimidation of the alleged victim, his bail may be revoked.
The charges were adjourned for charge determination on January 13.