Andrew Lovett faces fresh allegations of domestic abuse
New allegations of domestic abuse have surfaced in court after a former AFL star was denied bail over allegedly bashing his girlfriend.
South East
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A former AFL star faces fresh allegations of domestic abuse as he was denied bail for allegedly bashing his girlfriend.
Andrew Lovett returned to Dandenong Magistrates’ Court on Friday over shocking allegations of a 22-month domestic abuse campaign against his police officer partner.
The 2005 Anzac Day medallist was denied bail again after a magistrate deemed him too high a risk to be freed on bail in December last year.
The bail application on Friday took a turn when prosecution put forward new alleged developments at the start of the one-hour hearing.
“An additional complainant has come forward to police and will tomorrow make a statement which the informant advises, will anticipate to allege further family violence offending committed against her by this applicant,” prosecutor Andrew Sprague said.
Mr Sprague said the allegations were of a “similar nature” and asked for the hearing to be adjourned.
Lovett’s barrister David Grace QC said the alleged offending was “speculative”, “uncertain” and “vague” and argued for the hearing to continue.
Magistrate Jason Ong proceeded with the hearing and ultimately denied bail.
“I consider there is a risk that the applicant will repeat this type of offending, given the nature of the allegations,” he said.
“The alleged offending shows some level of control over the complainant and ... shows a pattern and continuation of violent behaviour.”
Lovett, 39, was charged with at least 88 offences including assault, recklessly and intentionally causing injury, stalking and breaches of bail.
The court previously heard Lovett had allegedly choked, punched, kicked, spat on and even poured a beer over his 36-year-old victim in a series of attacks between February 2020 and December 2021.
In one of the first alleged incidents, he grabbed her so ferociously that he left bruises and finger marks on her arms — all because she was listening to music and he wanted to go to bed, the court heard.
Other times Lovett allegedly threatened to slash her tyres, and claimed he’d have bikies run through her property.
He also allegedly struck her across the legs with an Esky lunch box.
In March last year, after attending an AFL match at Marvel Stadium, the night allegedly ended in a vicious assault where the woman was knocked unconscious.
On another night, after being at an AFL function, the court heard Lovett came home drunk.
He allegedly started spitting in the woman’s face and poured beer over her.
During Lovett’s hearing on Tuesday, Lovett interrupted when prosecution gave evidence about the victim being scared when he allegedly attended her address.
“That’s bullshit!” he said.
“You weren’t there, that is wrong.”
Mr Grace, who also represented Lovett when he was acquitted of two counts of rape following a County Court trial in 2011, said the man was remorseful.
“He realises he can’t continue to behave like this,” he said.
Lovett’s professional football career collapsed in 2010 when the Saints sacked him after he was charged over the rape of a woman at the home of teammate Jason Gram in 2009.
He had only just been traded to St Kilda at the end of the 2009 season after playing 88 games for Essendon between 2005 and 2009.
Detective Senior Constable Talissa Croxford argued that Lovett was an “unacceptable risk”.
Ms Croxford said during the police interview, Lovett referred to the victim as a “slut” and “tart”.
She said the victim was traumatised and “severely impacted” by Lovett’s actions.
Lovett was remanded in custody and will return to court on January 25.
