Police officer on stalking charge arrested for bail breach offence

A senior constable who is already facing a stalking charge found himself in custody, accused of breaching a condition of his bail by going to a school.

A police officer charged with stalking an ex-partner and a domestic violence breach had shown “arrogant disregard’’ to his obligations under bail conditions, a magistrate said.

The senior constable with 10 years’ experience as a police officer on Monday was granted bail on a new charge of breaching a bail condition, by going to his ex-partner’s son’s school.

He was charged after attending the boy’s school for an open day with his own son, after earlier telling other police he was going there “because I can’’.

The officer’s bail conditions, from May 9, had barred him from attending the school, Brisbane Magistrates Court heard.

The officer, who had been in a two-year relationship with his ex-partner, was also subject to conditions prohibiting him from going within 100m of several people.

The court heard the officer told other police he would be attending the open day of a school at which his son was pre-registered, but which was attended by his ex-partner’s son.

“Tell her to get some other way. I’m going to that f---ing open day, because I can,’’ the officer allegedly told other police, using what the magistrate described as “derogatory language’’.

The ex-partner then removed her child from the school that day, to avoid conflict, the court heard.

A senior constable charged with stalking an ex-partner and a domestic violence breach had shown “arrogant disregard’’ to his obligations under bail conditions, a magistrate said.

The officer’s lawyer, Calvin Gnech, said the officer had waited until 3.30pm to attend the open day with his child, who had been pre-registered for 18 months.

The officer, who was also the subject of a temporary protection order, had mistakenly believed he was not to go within 100m of his ex-partner, when his bail condition said he was not to attend her child’s school.

Police prosecutor Eddie Fraser asked that the officer be refused bail, saying he had shown flagrant disregard for the bail conditions.

Magistrate Coates asked the prosecutor if serving police officers had a standard of excellence and Mr Harris replied that they were expected to uphold a standard much higher than the general public.

But Mr Gnech said the officer should not be treated differently to anyone else.

“I’ve got a real problem with your behaviour,’’ Magistrate Coates told the officer, whom she said had shown “arrogant disregard’’ for his obligations, but who had no previous convictions.

She allowed bail, on new conditions that he live at a certain address, that he not approach or attend places where six people lived, worked, associated or attended school.

Ms Coates also ordered that the officer was not to attend his ex-partner’s son’s bayside suburb school under any circumstances.

The case was adjourned to July 25.

Originally published as Police officer on stalking charge arrested for bail breach offence