Roofer charged with Cleveland strangulation deemed too great a risk for release into community

A company director who allegedly inspired “extreme fear” in a former partner will stay behind bars to fight a strangulation charge.

A company director earning $5,000 to $7,000 a week charged with strangulation has had his bail denied after a court heard he has a history of violent behaviour.

Matthew John Swift, 39, showed little emotion as he was led into remand after Magistrate Deborah Vasta said he didn’t “have any respect for authority” and posed too great a risk to his alleged victim.

Appearing at Cleveland Magistrates Court on Thursday Rockhampton roofer Swift was charged with one count of choking, suffocation, strangulation domestic relationship.

The court heard Swift allegedly returned to his former partner’s – with whom he shares a daughter – Cleveland house.

“You seem to have a history of domestic violence and it is not insignificant,” Magistrate Vasta said.

“Police told you on January 12 that she didn’t want to have any contact with you.

“You were told by police in no uncertain terms not to return (to her residence) but it seems you did and may have taken over her house for a week and taken her phone and her car.

“And there is this allegation that you choked her.”

Matthew Swift was arrested last week. Generic image of an arrest. Picture: Alix Sweeney

A director of a metal roofing company in Rockhampton Swift, the court heard, had previously been jailed for domestic violence offences.

On parole for property damage offences at the time of his most recent alleged offending, the court was told Swift had in 2017 driven his vehicle into the same alleged victim’s vehicle before speeding off.

Defence solicitor Stephanie Tsimos said her client employed a team of five roofers and intended to leave for Rockhampton.

Ms Tsimos further said the charge levelled at Swift was solely based on the alleged victim’s testimony and was not supported by medical evidence.

MORE COURT STORIES:

Stalker comes to alleged rescue of friend armed with pizza

Banned serial drink driver lasts 24 hours before behind wheel with belly full of bourbon

Man on ‘snowballing’ child sex charges granted bail

However, a police prosecutor said the alleged victim “is in extreme fear of the respondent”.

“Given the defendant’s history there is a serious risk to the (allegedly) aggrieved,” the prosecutor said.

Swift will next appear in court on March 18.