Owen Christopher Briston charged with aggravated assault and recklessly endangering serious harm to his partner, 10 days before her death
A Palmerston man made a bid for bail while his 22-year-old girlfriend was held on life support following an alleged domestic violence assault.
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A Palmerston man made a bid for bail as his 22-year-old girlfriend was held on life support in hospital following an alleged domestic violence assault.
Owen Christopher Briston appeared before Darwin Local Court charged with aggravated assault and recklessly endangering serious harm on Monday, May 26, just days before his alleged victim died in hospital.
NT Police arrested the 22-year-old man on Wednesday, May 21 after his girlfriend was found by neighbours in a critical condition at a Johnston home.
Judge Steve Ledek heard neighbours reported hearing a disturbance and a “bang” from the home around 8pm, and ran over to provide first aid to the 22-year-old woman.
She was taken to Royal Darwin Hospital in a critical condition.
That Monday — while the young woman remained on life support — Mr Briston made an application for bail before Judge Steve Ledek.
During the bail hearing the prosecutor revealed to the court the young woman was still in a critical condition in hospital and was “unlikely to survive”.
Mr Ledek said it was clear that was “shocking” information to the seven loved ones who were waiting in the court gallery for Mr Briston, with many starting to cry and tear up after hearing this news.
Judge Steve Ledek said it was clear both Mr Briston’s defence lawyer and supporters were “unaware that was the circumstances that we’re existing in right now”.
“(They’re) quite shocked to know her medical status,” Mr Ledek said.
Ten days after the alleged assault, NT Police confirmed the young woman had died.
NT Police said her cause of death remained unknown and the Major Crime Unit is continuing investigations, with a report to be prepared for the coroner.
During a bail hearing in the wake of the alleged assault, Mr Ledek flagged Mr Briston was on a suspended Supreme Court sentence.
Supreme Court documents said Mr Briston was charged with unlawfully causing serious harm to a 63-year-old stranger during a violent and unprovoked outbreak of road rage in October 2022.
Justice Trevor Riley heard the then 20-year-old punched the older man to the face 10 times while both cars were stopped at a red light, yelling “you cut me off”.
Justice Riley said as a result of the unprovoked, disproportionate and random attack, his victim completely lost vision in his right eye.
The court heard Mr Briston had a “very difficult upbringing” in a home marred by domestic violence and alcohol abuse, and had seen a psychologist to deal with his anger management and coping strategies.
Mr Briston spent 10 months on remand as a first-time offender, and was placed on a suspended sentence for the remaining 18 months of his penalty.
This suspended sentence was due to expire on June 20, 2025 — just a month before the alleged domestic violence assault.
Mr Ledek said given his recent history and the latest allegations of violence, he said Mr Briston was “too high a risk at this stage” for bail.
The matter was adjourned to a preliminary examination mention on July 23.
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Originally published as Owen Christopher Briston charged with aggravated assault and recklessly endangering serious harm to his partner, 10 days before her death
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