North Queensland man makes bid for bail in Townsville Magistrates Court after ‘bashing’ partner, ‘traumatising’ baby

A man was arrested after his fearful partner fled their home and sought refuge from council workers on a Townsville street earlier this week – now he’s applied to be released from custody.

North Queensland man makes bid for bail in Townsville Magistrates Court after ‘bashing’ partner, ‘traumatising’ baby. Picture: generic

After multiple police visits due to concerned neighbours over the last few months, a man’s behaviour has “escalated” according to a magistrate who has rejected a man’s bid for bail after allegedly choking his partner.

The man who can’t be named to protect the identity of the victim applied for bail in Townsville Magistrates Court on Wednesday after being charged with common assault and contravening a domestic violence order the day prior.

Magistrate Viviana Keegan read out the statement of agreed upon facts to the courtroom while the 48-year-old Townsville man appeared via video link from the watch house.

“There were calls made to triple 0 from people who heard you yelling and screaming and were concerned a domestic violence matter may have been going on,” she said.

“Police arrived immediately, you were quite hostile to police and expressed anti-government views.

“You said you were cranky because the power had gone out and you were stressed because you couldn’t cook dinner.”

Magistrate Keegan said when police asked about his partner the man said she was in the bedroom sleeping with their baby – however authorities couldn’t locate them when they searched the property.

“A short time later she showed up with the baby and was extremely distressed and crying,” the magistrate said.

“She said you were in a rage and yelling, screaming, slamming doors and called her a c--t.

“You placed your hand around her neck applying pressure while holding the baby, when you let go she fled.”

Magistrate Keegan said the woman ran onto the street to council workers who saw the red marks on her neck.

Defence lawyer Jackson Young submitted to the magistrate that she could make a no contact order and said the man’s stepfather had agreed he could live with him at a separate property after being released.

“He is currently the only person on the lease at the dwelling the aggrieved resides,” Mr Young said.

“He is the only person working in the family, he pays $480 rent.”

Magistrate Keegan interjected and spoke directly to the man on screen.

“So you’re the worker so you’re entitled to bash her and traumatise your baby is that it?” she said.

Mr Young resumed his submission and said his client would continue to pay rent for the woman to live at the home, separate to where he would be living.

“He has a very low level history, he’s not at risk of failing to appear,” the lawyer said.

Police prosecutor Tim Madsen told the court police had visited the property a number of times in relation to domestic violence investigations yet no charges had been made until now and when asked by the magistrate why there were no other charges he said it could have been due to lack of evidence.

“The allegations are very serious,” he said.

“Grabbing the neck of a person is considered an increased risk of homicide.”

Magistrate Keegan ultimately decided to reject the man’s application for bail and said his behaviour seemed to be “escalating”.

She adjourned the matter to July 26 in Townsville court, the man was remanded in custody.

Originally published as North Queensland man makes bid for bail in Townsville Magistrates Court after ‘bashing’ partner, ‘traumatising’ baby