Kenneth Keep accused of bashing Mildura woman with metal pole and threatening to shoot her
A Mildura man allegedly bashed a woman with a metal pole, threatened to shoot her and had a bullet in his pocket when arrested, a court has heard.
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A Mildura man is accused of beating a woman with a metal pole and threatening to shoot her, before police allegedly found a homemade firearm and ammunition hidden across two addresses, a court has heard.
Kenneth Keep fronted Mildura Magistrates’ Court seeking bail on multiple charges relating to an incident that occurred on Tenth St in Mildura on April 1.
The court heard police were called to a Tenth St address around 9.30pm after Mr Keep had allegedly hit his alleged victim across the legs with a metal pole.
Police alleged that Mr Keep had prevented his alleged victim from leaving the house by grabbing her around the throat and throwing her to the ground. It was further alleged he spat at the woman.
It was claimed the alleged victim escaped once by jumping through the window but subsequently returned to the property.
When police arrived, Mr Keep fled, with police later discovering a homemade .22 calibre firearm with a round in the chamber at the Tenth St address.
He returned a short time later and was arrested. Officers allegedly found a .22 calibre bullet in his pocket.
A search of a nearby San Mateo Ave property — where Mr Keep was believed to have fled — purportedly uncovered more .22 shell casings and bullets.
The court heard the woman told police she had been threatened with a gun.
When interviewed, Mr Keep denied hitting her but conceded a verbal argument had taken place.
“I never have guns. I have no idea how the bullet (ended up) in my pocket,” he told police when asked about the firearm.
His lawyer Hugh Middleton said Mr Keep denied being involved in any violence and accepted there was a pole in the house but denied it was used.
Magistrate Michael Coghlan noted the seriousness of the allegations and raised concerns that an outstanding firearm had not yet been found.
“I note Mr Keep seeks to contest these charges … there appears to be evidence that supports the allegations made,” Mr Coghlan said as he refused bail.
Mr Keep is expected to return to court on April 14.
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