Former AFL star Andrew Lovett behind bars for Christmas over alleged domestic abuse

Former AFL star Andrew Lovett will spend Christmas behind bars after he was arrested for allegedly beating up his police officer girlfriend.

Former AFL star Andrew Lovett will spend Christmas behind bars after his bail application was rejected. Picture: Andy Brownbill.

Former AFL star Andrew Lovett will spend Christmas behind bars after he was arrested for allegedly beating up his police officer girlfriend.

The Saturday Herald Sun can reveal shocking allegations of domestic abuse as Lovett is facing at least 88 charges including assault and stalking.

He was arrested earlier this month with a magistrate deeming him too high a risk to be freed on bail.

“I pose no risk to her or anyone,” Lovett told Dandenong Magistrates Court.

The court heard Lovett had punched and spat on his 36-year-old victim, as well as put his hands around her throat in a series of attacks from February last year until his arrest.

The 2005 Anzac Day Medallist is also accused of sending her threatening text messages saying he would have “bikies run through her property”.

Ex-AFL footballer Andrew Lovett will face court on January 11.

“She’s terrified of the applicant,” police told the court in opposing bail.

Lovett represented himself in the bail application on December 10.

But when the case returned to court on Thursday, he was represented by barrister David Grace QC.

Mr Grace was the lawyer who represented Lovett when he was acquitted of two counts of rape following a County Court trial in 2011.

In 2010, the Saints sacked him after he was charged.

He pleaded not guilty to raping a drunk and sleeping model at the home of teammate Jason Gram in 2009.

Lovett played for Essendon between 2005 and 2009. He was traded to St Kilda at the end of the 2009 season.

Lovett will next appear in court on January 11.