Mallacoota man River Romeo banned from Melbourne over charges he drunkenly attacked ex-girlfriend at Carrum Downs home
River Romeo has faced court over allegations he attacked his ex in an alcohol-fuelled frenzy. The former Mallacoota man has been banned from the city and had better get back used to country life.
East
Don't miss out on the headlines from East . Followed categories will be added to My News.
A boozed-up country boy accused of allegedly falsely imprisoning, threatening to kill and assaulting his ex-girlfriend at her Carrum Downs home has been banned from Melbourne.
River Romeo is also suspected of trying to force the woman’s car off the road by yanking the steering wheel as she drove him to hospital for treatment for an injury he had caused to himself.
The 28-year-old from Mallacoota was given bail at Frankston Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday over nine charges relating to allegedly bashing his former partner.
Court documents released to The Leader state Mr Romeo, who had been staying in Clayton, went to the woman’s house on June 6 this year and allegedly launched a tirade of drunken attacks upon her.
Police say he unlawfully imprisoned her, choked her, held her on the ground by her throat, threatened to kill her, assaulted her with a knife and smashed a glass window.
Mr Romeo suffered a cut to his hand during the alleged altercation, and the woman offered to take him to hospital for treatment.
But when she was driving him there he then allegedly “pulled at the victim’s steering wheel while driving a motor vehicle that may have placed her in danger of death”.
She stopped the car in fear for her safety, and passers-by came to her aid.
Mr Romeo is then accused of saying he would kill her if police were called, but they had already been contacted.
When officers arrived he was arrested and remanded into custody.
Mr Romeo was on bail at the time for allegedly threatening the woman and damaging her property in an incident in March.
His defence lawyer told the court he is contesting the charges and delays caused by COVID-19 would mean he would remain behind bars until well into next year if he was not bailed.
He said Mr Romeo had a substance and alcohol abuse history and had been accepted into a court support program to help him deal with his issues.
Magistrate Ross Betts said Mr Romeo didn’t have any prior convictions for violent offending, and had strong family support and stable accommodation in country Victoria.
“He has a significant addiction to alcohol and drugs, this would be better handled outside (in the community) than in custody,” Mr Betts said.
“My main issue is the length of time he is likely to remain in custody while awaiting a hearing.
“It is likely to be at least 12 months, and he should not be unjustly held.”
Mr Romeo must remain in Mallacoota, is not allowed to come to Melbourne, can’t drink alcohol or take drugs, is not allowed to drive and has a curfew of 11pm to 5am.
MORE COURT NEWS
FRANKSTON ‘KAREN’ ANTI-MASKER MANDY CRERAR REFUSED BAIL