Steven Butler charged with dousing his partner with petrol, hitting her with a baseball bat

A talented soccer player allegedly assaulted his ex by dousing her in petrol while holding a lighter and bashing her with a bat until she spat blood.

A man with a violent criminal history had another bail application knocked back for allegedly bashing his partner with a baseball bat, a court heard.

Steven Shaun Butler, 31, applied for home detention bail in the Adelaide Magistrates Court last week, after police allege he committed a horrific series of domestic violence acts.

A prosecutor opposed the bail application, due to the seriousness of the allegations.

Steven Butler applied for bail in the Adelaide Magistrates Court last week. Picture: Facebook

The court heard the alleged victim was Butler’s ex-partner, who he shares two children with.

“She remains very fearful of him,” the prosecutor said.

The court heard Butler and his partner had gotten into an argument at Salisbury North in April, 2018, where he allegedly doused her in petrol and held a lighter near her.

Butler allegedly assaulted her again on July 8 at Hillbank.

“She woke to the accused standing over holding a baseball bat,” the prosecutor said.

“The victim recalls feeling something against the side of her face and next remembers sitting in the shower spitting out blood.

“The victim was having trouble breathing and in profuse pain.”

The court heard the alleged victim climbed over the back fence and rang police from a neighbour’s house.

When police arrived, they noticed she had significant bruising, the prosecutor told the court.

“Police observed bruises consistent with being grabbed by the throat and being struck with an object on her leg,” the prosecutor said.

Butler, of Hillbank, is charged with multiple offences, including endangering life and assault. He is yet to enter any pleas.

The court heard Butler has a history of violent offending.

Caroline Tassone, for Butler, told the court the allegations were contested.

The court heard Butler could live with his new partner if released on bail, which was a significant distance away from the alleged victim.

“He has very strong ties to the community … and strong family support,” she said.

The court heard Butler’s mother had suffered a heart attack while he was in custody.

“He has a very good work history and would continue to support his father,” Ms Tassone said.

The court heard Butler plays for a northern suburbs soccer club, as well as coaches children.

“He’s someone who’s involved in the community and respected in the community,” Ms Tassone said.

“This is a trusted member of the community, the allegations are denied.”

“He’s also a member of a community who has been to jail before,” Magistrate Simon Smart replied.

Despite Ms Tassone offering four guarantors for Butler’s release, Mr Smart refused him bail.