Train worker to wear ankle monitor after ‘horrendous’ closed court video

A train worker has been granted bail with a GPS monitor after a closed court viewed ‘horrendous’ video evidence of an alleged domestic assault involving children.

The man has been ordered to wear a tracking device around his ankle and is barred from being within 1.5km of the house. Picture: File photo of a tracking device

A Queensland man, employed as a train worker, has been released on bail under strict conditions, including wearing an electronic tracking device, after a graphic video was shown in court capturing an alleged domestic assault involving children.

The man, who cannot be named for legal reasons, appeared in Cleveland Magistrates Court via video link from the Cleveland watch-house on Tuesday, July 1.

He faces multiple domestic violence-related charges, including assault occasioning bodily harm, following an alleged incident on June 29 at a suburban house.

The footage, described by police prosecutors as “horrendous” was recorded on a mobile phone and shown in a closed court to protect the identities of children involved.

It allegedly shows a man engaging in violent behaviour toward a woman while two children are present.

In the video, a child can be heard crying out, “You throw me”, prompting the prosecution to allege the child had attempted to intervene and was then thrown into another room.

The man, visibly distressed during the hearing, wiped away tears as the footage was played for Cleveland Magistrate Deborah Vasta.

“This is not love, this is power for her not doing what you wanted her to do,” Magistrate Vasta said.

“This is her not shutting up when you wanted her to shut up, and you being a bully.”

The train worker will be forced to wear a tracking device.

The court heard that despite having no criminal history, the man had previously been referred to a men’s behaviour change program in 2024 but according to submissions, he refused to acknowledge any wrongdoing at the time.

Magistrate Vasta granted bail on the condition the man wear a GPS ankle tracker and remain at least 1.5km from the house.

She said she did not trust the accused not to breach contact orders.

“You’re going to be released on a tracking device … If you set foot inside that zone, the police will know about it,” she said.

He will be allowed to return to the residence once, accompanied by police, to collect personal belongings.

The man is banned from all contact with the alleged victim and children, including via social media, and is not permitted to go within 100m of any school or daycare centre attended by the children.

He is also barred from attempting to locate them.

Magistrate Vasta ordered him to contact a men’s behaviour program, and re-enrol with attendance mandatory if he is deemed suitable to re-join.

The court also confirmed the exclusion zone would not interfere with the man’s ability to continue working as a train worker.

The matter has been adjourned to August 5, with further charges possible as investigations continue and formal interviews are completed.

Originally published as Train worker to wear ankle monitor after ‘horrendous’ closed court video