Jayson Joe, 25, contest claims in Toowoomba Magistrates Court that he kicked pregnant girlfriend in the stomach

A man has vehemently denied claims he attacked his pregnant girlfriend, potentially harming his unborn child, despite police maintaining they have a strong case.

Picture: Kevin Farmer

A man accused of beating his pregnant partner and threatening her life has been granted bail.

Jayson Joe, 25, appeared in custody via videolink before Toowoomba Magistrates Court on Tuesday to appeal for bail after police accused him of beating his heavily pregnant partner.

Police allege Mr Joe dragged the woman out of a vehicle where he made threats to her life and kicked and punched her in the stomach and caused swelling to her head.

The woman was said to be 25-weeks pregnant at the time of the alleged assault.

Potential injuries to the unborn child were not known as the woman was awaiting a scan in hospital.

Mr Joe denied the serious accusations through his duty lawyer Alysha Jacobsen.

“He strongly denies the allegations of kicking and punching her given that she is seven months pregnant and he strongly denied that he would ever do anything of that nature which may result in harm to an unborn child,” Ms Jacobsen said.

Ms Jacobsen assured Mr Joe would comply with multiple bail conditions, including adhering to a strict curfew and exclusion zones and abstaining from alcohol.

She implored there would be no flight risk despite Mr Joe only just arriving in Australia from Papua New Guinea in February of this year.

“He’s scared to go back, there is violence and unrest in that area,” she said.

Police prosecutor Anita Page argued the risk to the woman’s safety could not be mitigated with the proposed conditions.

“Police have stated they are of the opinion that she is at risk of further domestic violence and coercive control,” she said.

“She is afraid of reporting domestic violence breaches due to retribution to their families back home in Papua New Guinea.

“There is a risk that the defendant would interfere not only with the aggrieved but other witnesses who were present on the night.

However, magistrate Michelle Dooley ruled risk would be sufficiently reduced and granted bail.

“I considered the issues in this matter, particularly that the defendant has no criminal history, that the aggrieved lives at least one hour away from the defendant and he is working.”

Mr Joe is charged with two counts each of assault occasioning bodily harm (domestic violence) and other charges.

He will appear in Gatton Magistrates Court on November 12, 2024.