Man accused of assaulting, choking partner over several years granted bail

CONTENT WARNING: This article refers to alleged family violence.

A man accused of assaulting his partner over several years has been granted bail, despite concerns he allegedly demonstrated a “sustained pattern” of abuse.

ACT Policing allege the man attacked his partner multiple times from 2021, choking her on one occasion and on another, causing injuries that required hospital treatment.

She reported the allegations to police on Thursday (5 September), and he was arrested in northern Canberra that afternoon.

The 36-year-old was charged with choking, damaging property and three counts of assault.

He applied for bail in the ACT Magistrates Court on Friday (6 September), which was opposed by the prosecution.

His lawyer, Carley Hitchins, suggested the court would be “very sceptical” about the complaints made in the matter.

She said her client’s partner knew he had applied for bail on Thursday on a separate charge of assault, alleged to have been committed against her in August, and she went to police on the morning of the bail application to report the historical allegations.

Ms Hitchins said that the partner already had two opportunities to report her allegations in March and August of this year.

The prosecutor said the alleged incidents were “highly concerning” and claimed the man had demonstrated a “sustained pattern”.

“These alleged incidents have occurred over quite a substantial period of time,” she said.

Magistrate James Lawton said he had granted bail to the man over the first charge of assault on Thursday.

He said he didn’t criticise his partner’s decision to report the historical allegations now, saying he agreed that there could be any number of reasons why a person might delay in making a complaint.

However, he also said there was nothing in the circumstances of the matter that could make him review his earlier decision to grant the man bail.

Bail was continued on conditions including the man not contact or approach his partner or go into her home suburb.

He has pleaded not guilty to his fresh charges and will return to court in October.

If this story has raised any concerns for you, 1800RESPECT, the national 24-hour sexual assault, family and domestic violence counselling line, can be contacted on 1800 737 732. Help and support are also available through the Canberra Rape Crisis Centre on 02 6247 2525, the Domestic Violence Crisis Service ACT 02 6280 0900, the Sexual Violence Legal Services on 6257 4377 and Lifeline on 13 11 14. In an emergency, call Triple Zero.