Troy Cusens: Ex Rebels bikie allegedly attacked partner in Marsden Park
A former Rebels bikie with a colourful past has faced court on allegations he violently choked his girlfriend and dragged her up a flight of stairs leaving her with a fractured wrist, ribs and pelvis. It is alleged he attacked her after she refused to buy him drugs.
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A former senior western Sydney bikie accused of violently choking and dragging his girlfriend up stairs over a drug dispute, leaving her with broken bones, has had his bid for freedom knocked back.
Former Mt Druitt Rebels bikie president Troy Cusens, 43, faces charges of intentionally choking and causing reckless grievous bodily harm to his girlfriend over an alleged incident at his Marsden Park home on Sunday.
Police allege the colourful former bikie violently assaulted his partner after he allegedly ordered her to purchase drugs for him and she refused.
It is alleged the violence escalated when Mr Cusens dragged her up stairs and grabbed her by the throat, leaving her with a fractured wrist, ribs and pelvis, as well as severe bruising to her face.
Mr Cusens will fight the charges, pleading not guilty to both offences at Mt Druitt Local Court on Thursday.
In applying for bail, defence lawyer Leonardo Premutico said the pair were observed outside Mr Cusens’ mother’s home after the alleged assault, which undermined the police case.
“The suggestion is Mr Cusens was ordering the complainant around to purchase the drugs,” Mr Premutico said.
“There is expected to be a text message on the complainant’s phone where she is seeking out the drugs.”
However, the prosecution opposed Mr Cusens’ release, arguing he posed an unacceptable risk to his partner and the community at large.
“On the face of it, the allegations are so severe, if convicted, the court should have no option but to sentence the offender to full time imprisonment,” the prosecution said.
Citing details on a police fact sheet, Magistrate James Gibson said the severity of the injuries allegedly inflicted on the victim made for a strong police case.
“That instance where she was seen by the mother out the front of the premises is something that would undermine the prosecution case,” Magistrate Gibson said.
“Taking into account what police allege is a very violent assault would have rendered the complainant in such a state where she wouldn’t have refused to do anything the perpetrator would have asked.
“She then at the first opportunity made a complaint to a third party who then notified police.
“It then becomes a very strong prosecution case.”
The court heard Mr Cusens struggled with drug use and was acquitted of charges at a trial over allegations involving the torture of a fellow bikie at a western Sydney home over 36 hours in 2015.
If convicted of the alleged domestic assault, Mr Cusens could face up to 10 years behind bars.
He was refused bail and the case will go to a hearing at the same court in February next year.