Disability worker Philip De Wet accused of assaulting Emu Park woman

A man who claims he doesn’t know how his partner sustained injuries contests allegations of choking and assaults despite video evidence, a pretext call and photographs.

Philip De Wet, 30, hails from Parguay who had been employed as a disability support worker in the region before he was charged with one count of assault occasioning bodily harm, two of choking, three common assaults and one possessing a dangerous drug.

A man who claims he doesn’t know how is partner sustained alleged injuries and contests allegations of choking and assaults has handed in his passport as part of his bail conditions.

Paraguayan Philip De Wet, 30, was employed as a disability support worker in the region before he was charged with one count of assault occasioning bodily harm, two of choking, three common assaults and one of possessing a dangerous drug.

Mr De Wet made a bail application in Rockhampton Magistrates Court on September 13, where defence lawyer Samantha Legrady said her client contested the allegations.

“He’s not sure how she sustained the injuries,” she said.

“His instructions are that she made up the allegations.”

Ms Legrady said Mr De Wet could live with a friend at Biloela, about 190kms away from the alleged victim’s residence in Emu Park.

She said once these matters were finalised, he may return home to Paraguay, South America.

Police prosecutor Sergeant David Longhurst said the allegations involved the victim asking Mr De Wet, recorded in a video, why he “smashed” her head and him responding “you should have taken me home”.

He said the victim also asked why Mr De Wet “choked me out” and “why did you do this to my face” to which Mr De Wet allegedly responded “because I told you, you talk to me like I’m stupid. You told me to go home”.

Sgt Longhurst said the alleged responses by Mr De Wet were not “positive denials” of the allegations.

“All those things combined with statements, the corroborating injuries, the pretext phone call, goes to show the prosecution case, at this point in time for these types of offending is pretty high,” he said.

Acting magistrate Paul Byrne said he was not convinced by Sergeant Longhurst’s submission about the strength of the evidence.

Sgt Longhurst further submitted the type of controlling, physical behaviour allegedly displayed by Mr De Wet would leave the complainant “in a very dangerous situation” if he was released on bail.

Mr Byrne granted Mr De Wet bail with conditions, including handing in his passport.

Briefs of evidence were ordered and his matters were adjourned to October 25.