Joshua O’Neill charged over alleged threat to ex inside Western Sydney courtroom

Joshua O’Neill had just been told the AVO involving his ex-partner was being extended. Police allege he didn’t take the news well and issued a chilling threat inside a Western Sydney courtroom.

A Western Sydney labourer allegedly issued a chilling kill threat against his ex-partner inside a packed courtroom after a magistrate agreed to extend a protection order against him.

Police allege Joshua O’Neill, 32, called Penrith Local Court magistrate Fiona Toose a “f..king joke” after she agreed to extend an apprehended domestic violence order involving O’Neill’s former partner in May this year.

According to court documents, O’Neill was allegedly overheard directing a series of chilling threats towards his ex-girlfriend, who was not in the room at the time, including saying “I will kill this bitch, don’t worry”.

O’Neill was immediately stopped by police and placed under arrest.

A subsequent review of the electronic recording of the court proceedings confirmed the words used by O’Neill, police allege.

He was not charged in relation to the alleged comments towards the magistrate, however was charged with intimidation and contravening a domestic violence order regarding the alleged comments to his ex.

Joshua O’Neill was in front of a packed courtroom inside Penrith Courthouse when he allegedly issued the threat.

O’Neill was remanded in custody but successfully sought bail in the NSW Supreme Court last month.

Police documents said several witnesses were in the courtroom to overhear the alleged threat, including the police prosecutor, court staff, defence lawyers and Magistrate Toose, all of whom could be called to give evidence if the matter proceeds to a hearing.

O’Neill’s lawyer told the Supreme Court his client intended to fight the allegations at a hearing in December and would abide by strict conditions if granted bail, including receiving mental health treatment from a professional.

He said the case would hinge on whether the police could prove that O’Neill intended to cause his ex-partner fear, given she wasn’t in court to hear the comment at the time.

Prosecutors opposed O’Neill’s application, citing concerns for the safety of his ex-partner.

They also noted he had a criminal history that involved prior convictions for robbery, property damage, car theft and domestic violence-related acts.

The court heard O’Neill had other current, outstanding court matters as well, including sexual touching charges stemming from allegations he groped a NSW Ambulance paramedic during an incident at Doonside in March.

He has pleaded not guilty to those charges and will face a hearing in January.

Justice Belinda Rigg agreed to grant bail, noting O’Neill had been in custody for close to six months and the case against him had “triable issues”.

As part of his bail, O’Neill must live at a home in Doonside, report to police three times a week and not contact the alleged victim by any means or enter the suburb in which she lives.

He is also banned from drinking or taking drugs while on bail.

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