Christian Moss avoided spending 21st birthday in jail after being charged with assault

A young carpenter narrowly missed out on celebrating his 21st birthday behind bars on remand after police allege he broke into a house and assaulted a woman, leaving her with cuts and bruises.

A young man narrowly avoided celebrating his milestone 21st birthday in prison after police allege he broke into a Goulburn house to assault the two people.

Christian Robert William Moss, 20, appeared via video link in Goulburn Local Court on Wednesday to apply for bail after being charged with aggravated break and enter with intent to commit indictable offence with people present, assault occasioning actual bodily harm, and contravening an apprehended violence order.

Police will allege Mr Moss violated an AVO against him on the night of July 10 when he broke into the Goulburn house of the protected person with the intent of hurting the two occupants.

Christian Robert William Moss appeared via AVL at Goulburn Court House in his prison greens. Picture: Craig Dunlop

He was charged with assaulting the person the AVO was meant to protect, causing her actual bodily harm. Police documents state the victim suffered bruising, cuts, and abrasions after the alleged assault.

The court heard Mr Moss had previously been convicted of a violent offence against the victim, and had recently completed the community corrections order to which he had been sentenced.

“The offence formed part of a series of offences committed by the accused,” police documents said.

Police prosecutor Simon Enderwick said police opposed bail being granted because of the likelihood of reoffending and the “unacceptable risk” Mr Moss would pose to victims.

“This clearly is an animosity that is ongoing between this defendant and the two parties,” he said.

“An AVO wasn’t sufficient to restrain him.”

The Goulburn local will be turning 21 years old this week and the court heard it was his first time in custody.

His lawyer argued Mr Moss, who is a carpenter, was a “naive” young man who had an issue with alcohol.

However, Magistrate Geraldine Beattie said the allegations were “alarming” and “of great concern”.

“The nature of the allegations before me is strong and violent,” she said.

“There are strong arguments for refusing your bail so you remain in jail to celebrate your birthday.”

The court heard Christian Robert William Moss made partial admissions to police following the incident. Picture: NCA Newswire / Gaye Gerard

Mr Enderwick said the prosecution case against Moss was “very strong”, with multiple witnesses and forensic evidence.

The court heard Moss made partial admissions to police when he was arrested, but has not yet entered pleas to the charges.

Both defence and prosecution agreed a sentence of imprisonment was likely if the alleged offences are proven.

Magistrate Beattie recognised the potential delay in finalising the matter and granted Mr Moss bail. She ordered him to remain at his Shoalhaven Heads home, to not enter the Goulburn Local Government Area, and to adhere to a curfew.

Mr Moss will return to court in September.