Shannon Gardner refused bail on serious domestic violence charges

A Sunshine Coast man has racked up dozens of domestic violence charges for stalking, strangling and attacking his former partner during an alleged reign of terror.

Shannon Danny Gardner appeared in Maroochydore Magistrates Court by video from prison. Picture: Patrick Woods

A Tanawha man accused of horror domestic violence against his former partner has been refused bail.

Maroochydore Magistrates Court heard how Shannon Gardner allegedly treated his former partner like a “ragdoll” over several months by assaulting and choking her before menacing her with messages.

The 32-year-old man’s bail application was heard over two days in court this week where he faces more than two dozen charges including seven counts of breaching bail, three of choking, two of assault and one of stalking.

Defence lawyer Matthew Cooper conceded the fresh charges Gardner faced were allegedly committed after he was granted bail on April 12.

He was arrested on April 27 and has been in custody for four months before he appeared in court on Wednesday and Friday by video link.

Police allege Gardner assaulted and choked his former partner while actively contacting her, which breached his bail conditions.

The court heard one allegation involved Gardner slamming the woman’s head into a windscreen of a car while he was driving.

Gardner continually shook his head when the allegations were read out. Picture: Instagram

Police further alleged the Tanawha man punched the woman in the chest before he grabbed her around the throat and pushed her into a passenger door while he was behind the wheel.

The court heard the woman fled from the vehicle and found refuge in a Subway restaurant, the staff of which believed she had been assaulted.

The woman also told police Gardner allegedly held a gun to her head, however, no weapon was found.

Defence lawyer Matthew Cooper told the court this week that Gardner could abide by even stricter bail conditions than what he was on originally, which included being banned from the Caloundra area.

Mr Cooper said there were also inconsistencies with the alleged victim’s evidence and said the woman had also contacted Gardner. He further submitted the 32-year-old could risk spending too much time in custody.

Police prosecutor Tara Miles opposed bail on Wednesday, and alleged the charges involved “serious, violent” offending over several months, and even included Gardner offering $500 to someone to assault the alleged victim.

He made an application for bail over two days this week. Picture: Patrick Woods

She also alleged Gardner messaged others to assist in hurting his former partner, with some texts from other people to the 32-year-old suggesting they should bash her and ‘chop her fingers off’.

Gardner’s bail application was adjourned to Friday to allow for Mr Cooper to read data extracted from the 32-year-old’s phone, which allegedly revealed dozens of these concerning texts.

Police prosecutor Mark Burrell alleged on Friday that Gardner made admissions in these texts to certain assaults, where the Tanawha man said he was “going to jail” because the victim spoke to police.

Mr Cooper said Gardner said in the immediate message after that however that his former partner was lying.

The defence lawyer also said Gardner did not say the “chopping” remark in the text exchange but it was someone else.

Acting magistrate Janelle Boegheim ultimately refused the Tanawha man’s bail after reading a witness’ account of some of the alleged assaults, which included claims the 32-year-old allegedly grabbed his partner and treated her like a “ragdoll”.

“Shannon really went out of his way to (allegedly) abuse her any chance he got,” Ms Boegheim repeated from the witness’ statement.

Gardner’s matters were adjourned to October 18.