Canberra disability worker Karifa Bangura allegedly choked partner

A disability worker who allegedly choked his partner because he didn’t want her to go to a party has faced court.

A disability worker has faced the ACT Magistrates Court after allegedly choking his partner.

A disability worker who allegedly choked his partner because he didn’t want her to go to a party has been released on bail.

Throsby man Karifa Bangura, 33, faced the ACT Magistrates Court on Monday charged with two counts of common assault and one count of choking.

He did not enter any pleas.

The statement of facts allege at 1pm on April 9 Bangura had a verbal argument with his partner who had told him she wanted to go to a party.

Bangura refused to let her attend, and he grabbed her hair and moved her body and head to control her, court documents state.

A disability worker has faced the ACT Magistrates Court after allegedly choking his partner. Picture: Julia Kanapathippillai

After releasing her, he took her keys from a nearby table and placed them in his pocket and went to his car in the outdoor communal car park where he sat in his vehicle.

The woman approached the car and asked Bangura to return her keys.

Police allege Bangura mocked her as she pleaded for her keys, and then told her he didn’t have them.

The woman began to search the car, and asked again for the return of her keys, only for Bangura to grab and squeeze her hand, causing her pain, facts allege.

She attempted to use her other hand to seize the keys, but Bangura tightened his grip.

Police allege in response to the pain the woman slapped his thigh, and he responded by twisting her right hand and attempting to pull her fingers back.

Bangura then grabbed the woman around the neck with both hands, choking her for two minutes, causing her to feel unable to breathe for about 30 seconds, court documents state.

Immediately after the alleged incident the woman called triple-0.

On Monday, prosecutors opposed bail and described the incident as an example of “coercive control”.

Prosecutors said the complainant had told police there was a history of violence, though she hadn’t reported previous alleged incidents.

Bangura’s lawyer told the court he was the sole financial provider for the family and would be able to live at his sister’s home to be away from the complainant.

The lawyer said Bangura works for a disability organisation called Livability.

He said his client had never been on bail before and had not been charged with similar offences previously.

Special Magistrate Jane Campbell granted Bangura bail with conditions including that he not contact the complainant.