Accused 'domestic violence strangler' released on bail

Bryce William Monkivitch convinced a Supreme Court justice that he should be allowed to remain on bail after he was charged with strangling his girlfriend

Bryce William Monkivitch convinced a Brisbane Supreme Court justice that he should be allowed to remain on bail after he was charged with strangling his girlfriend on May 13. Mr Monkivitch faces one charge of non-fatal strangulation in a domestic violence relationship.

A MAN who allegedly strangled his girlfriend in a Sunshine Coast alley has successfully argued he should remain on bail.

Bryce William Monkivitch convinced a Brisbane Supreme Court justice he should be allowed to remain on bail after he was charged with strangling his girlfriend on May 13.

Mr Monkivitch faces one charge of non-fatal strangulation in a domestic violence relationship.

The alleged victim is now in hiding and living in "fear”, the court heard on Friday.

Under Queensland's tough new domestic violence bail laws, anyone charged with serious domestic violence offences must prove to the court they are safe to be released.

Justice John Bond heard Mr Monkivitch was at a Maroochydore tavern when he "accused” the woman of cheating on him.

She left the hotel, but he allegedly followed her, repeating his claims.

The Crown prosecutor said Mr Monkivitch allegedly demanded his girlfriend hand over her phone when she looked at it.

He said Mr Monkivitch saw a text message from a new work colleague and he again repeated his claim that she was having an affair.

The court heard the alleged victim told her boyfriend to leave her alone multiple times and walked away, but he followed her into an alley.

"I will wreck you on the Sunshine Coast,” he allegedly told the woman.

"Do you know how many people I know here?

"I will wreck you.”

He then allegedly put his hands around her throat and pressed hard for about 10 seconds before letting her go.

The prosecutor said police and medics noticed marks on her neck and the victim also experienced swelling around the throat and difficulty sneezing following the alleged attack.

The court heard Mr Monkivitch had violently attacked men three times by "striking them in the head or body”, but his defence barrister Kevin Kelso said there was nothing in his client's criminal history to suggest the 26-year-old had harmed a woman.

Mr Kelso said a former partner of Mr Monkivitch was supporting him in court on Friday and that there were affidavits from other partners attesting that he "respected women”.

The barrister also said his client could be trusted because he had not committed any crimes in the six days from arrest to Friday's court appearance.

Mr Kelso said the original bail conditions imposed on him in a Sunshine Coast court on Monday were enough to prevent him from committing any offences.

The conditions included staying 100m away from the alleged victim, living at a set address and reporting to police.

Justice Bond agreed with Mr Kelso, ruling Mr Monkivitch was unlikely to cause any harm to the woman and released him on bail.

• For 24-hour support phone Queensland's DVConnect on 1800 811 811 or MensLine on 1800 600 636, NSW's Domestic Violence Line on 1800 656 463 or the national hotline 1800RESPECT (1800 737 732).

- APN NEWSDESK

Originally published as Accused 'domestic violence strangler' released on bail