Alleged Facebook DV offender refused bail at Gladstone

A Central Queensland man who allegedly used Facebook to commit numerous domestic violence offences has not been successful with his bail bid.

A man facing numerous charges including multiple counts of contravening a domestic violence order, has been refused bail in Gladstone Magistrates Court. Generic image.

A Central Queensland man who allegedly used Facebook to commit domestic violence offences has been denied bail.

The man in his 20s appeared in custody in Gladstone Magistrates Court where he made a bail application.

He is facing numerous charges including multiple counts of contravening a domestic violence order, one count of failing to appear in court, and multiple counts of using a telecommunications network in the commission of a serious offence.

The court heard he was in a show cause situation and the prosecution opposed bail.

Solicitor Stephen White said the man, a father who was currently unemployed and receiving Centrelink benefits, had a bail address in Gladstone where he could reside.

“He’s actively seeking employment...” Mr White said.

Mr White addressed the prosecution’s objection to bail including the police submission the man was an unacceptable risk of failing to appear and committing further offences.

Gladstone Courthouse.

“There’s only one failure to appear in my client’s history... it is a recent entry - I reject that part of the (objection to bail) affidavit,” Mr White said.

“There is no continual history... of failing to appear.

“The defence concedes there are some concerning entries within the history - there is no extended history of property offending.

“The most recent offending that came before the court was a relatively minor property offence... there is no extensive history of contravening domestic violence orders... there’s no continual offending in regards to breaching of protection notices or domestic violence orders.”

Mr White said “the majority of” the alleged offences before the court related to “communication with the aggrieved through Facebook and the like.”

“My submission is those alleged offences are on the lower end of the offending scale, and could be ameliorated or mitigated through appropriate bail conditions.”

Magistrate Mary Buchanan said the prosecution case was “strong” and she was not satisfied the man had shown cause.

Bail was refused, the man was remanded in custody and his matters were adjourned to December 9.