Stanley Willie James Roper denied bail after stabbing 20-year-old partner with kitchen knife

A 28-year-old man whose alleged frenzied kitchen knife attack on his girlfriend and her mother has pushed for his release on bail.

Stanley Willie James Roper appeared before Judge Ben O’Loughlin in Katherine Local Court last week charged with unlawfully causing serious harm, aggravated assault and recklessly endangering life.

A man who allegedly repeatedly stabbed his girlfriend with a kitchen knife before threatening to burn her house down has been denied bail.

Stanley Willie James Roper appeared before Judge Ben O’Loughlin in Katherine Local Court last week charged with unlawfully causing serious harm, aggravated assault and recklessly endangering life following an alleged frenzied attack on his girlfriend and her mother.

NT Police have alleged the 28-year-old repeatedly stabbed his 20-year-old partner in her home at Beswick, 112 km east of Katherine, on March 1.

Mr O’Loughlin said it was alleged the young woman was trying to walk away following an argument when Mr Roper armed himself with a large kitchen knife.

“He approached her suddenly from behind and stabs (her),” he said reading from the alleged facts.

The court heard as she fell forward she clung onto her mother, with Mr Roper allegedly plunged the knife into her back and shoulder.

Mr O’Loughlin said it was alleged Mr Roper continued to attack while both women were on the ground, stabbing the 20-year-old to the abdomen and leg.

It was alleged the young woman’s mother tried to put herself between Mr Roper and her child, and suffered a cut to her head as he continued to slash at his girlfriend.

Mr O’Loughlin said it was alleged Mr Roper said “I’m going to set the house on fire”.

The court heard that as she fell forward she clung onto her mother, and Mr Roper allegedly plunged the knife into her back and shoulder.

He then drove his unconscious and bleeding girlfriend to the clinic, where she was stabilised before being flown to the Royal Darwin Hospital in a critical condition.

NT Police alleged in the emotional wake of the incident, members of both families allegedly started creating a disturbance outside the health clinic and additional cops were deployed “to manage the unrest”.

Two days after the alleged stabbing, Mr Roper made a bid for freedom with a bail application which would put him more than seven hours down the road from his partner’s family.

On Monday March 3, his defence lawyer Claire Porter suggested that the 28-year-old be released to his grandfather’s traditional country at Wandangula community, 12km from Borroloola.

Ms Porter said putting 670km between Mr Roper and Beswick, imposing full non-contact orders and other strict bail conditions would be significant “protective factors” for his alleged victim.

She said given the current delays in the justice system Mr Roper would likely face significant time on remand, and argued his post traumatic stress disorder would make his time in custody even more onerous.

“It is likely he would spend significant time in the watch houses before being transferred, and then he would be in overcrowded cells where he wouldn’t have any access to rehabilitation,” Ms Porter said.

However Mr O’Loughlin said it was serious allegations and refused to give him bail.

It was adjourned for a preliminary examination mention on April 10.