Christopher James Atkinson facing choking, assault charges in Coffs Harbour court

Police allege a 29-year-old man forced a woman to shower to “wash off the evidence” during a violent series of events.

A Coffs Harbour man who allegedly choked a woman and forced her to shower to “wash off the evidence” during a series of violent offences has been freed on bail.

Christopher James Atkinson, 29, appeared in Coffs Harbour Local Court on Monday where he made an application for bail.

His charges included stalking/intimidation, intentional choking, assault occasioning actual bodily harm and common assault in relation to a string of alleged offences in September.

The man had denied the allegations and was due to face a local court hearing in July next year, however this was vacated on Monday as prosecutors elected the case be dealt with in the District Court.

Magistrate Ian Rodgers detailed the “serious” allegations against Mr Atkinson during his bail application, describing how he and woman were in a motor vehicle when Atkinson allegedly caused it to swerve at traffic.

Mr Rodgers said Mr Atkinson allegedly told the woman, “we’ll die together”.

Atkinson applied for bail in Coffs Harbour Local Court this week.

In another incident, Mr Rodgers said the pair had allegedly gotten into a fight when Mr Atkinson got on top of her and choked her.

He said the woman tried to flee but Mr Atkinson allegedly ran after her and grabbed her in a chokehold, dragging her back inside.

Mr Rodgers said the prosecution case consisted of some CCTV footage.

Mr Atkinson’s lawyer however asked Mr Rodgers to grant the man bail as he had been accepted into a rehabilitation program in Newcastle.

They said strict bail conditions, including a curfew and a ban from entering Coffs Harbour, would be sufficient in mitigating any risks.

The prosecution however argued that if he was granted bail, it would potentially jeopardise the protection of the alleged victim.

The prosecution alleged Mr Atkinson had shown a “significant degree of violence” towards the victim including controlling behaviour, alleging that he forced her to shower to remove evidence.

Mr Rodgers granted bail on strict conditions, which included that Mr Atkinson be released directly into the custody of the rehab facility, abide by an apprehended violence and not enter Coffs Harbour.

“If it wasn’t clear … the only condition I’m satisfied with for you to be on bail is if you’re in rehab,” he told Mr Atkinson.

“You have to stay there – if you’re not in rehab you’re in custody.”

Atkinson’s case will return to the court again on December 13.