'You're not leaving': Man allegedly dragged partner by hair, repeatedly choked her

CONTENT WARNING: This article refers to alleged family violence.

A man accused of dragging his partner by the hair and choking her when she tried to flee their home has been refused bail.

It is alleged in court documents that the pair drank alcohol and took the drug MDMA at a social gathering on Saturday evening (12 October) before the 22-year-old man accused the woman of still being in contact with her ex-partner.

He allegedly became so enraged that the pair’s friends left as they became uncomfortable. But as soon as they were gone, he allegedly grabbed the woman by the throat, dragged her by her hair and pushed her to the ground.

He then allegedly choked her while she lay on the ground, causing her to start to “blackout”.

When the woman tried to flee, the man allegedly told her, “Where do you think you are going? You’re not leaving”.

He allegedly choked her against a wall and hid her car keys, which stopped her from being able to drive away.

The woman was able to run out of the home and called Triple Zero. Police said they arrived to find her “cowering” behind a car outside.

The man, who isn’t named to protect the woman’s identity, was arrested and then applied for bail in the ACT Magistrates Court on Monday (14 October).

His defence lawyer, Legal Aid’s David Bloomfield, said his client would plead not guilty to all his charges and the allegations in the matter would be heavily contested.

He said the woman was in her early 30s, so the man claimed that if there was any sense of coercion in the relationship, it went the other way.

The man claimed he tried to end their short-term relationship some hours before the incident, which she was unhappy about, and both were affected by alcohol at the time.

Mr Bloomfield said his client had a government job in the construction industry which he would lose if he was refused bail.

He also said his client claimed 90 per cent of his income went to paying his parents’ rent, which cost a total of $1200 a week. However, when questioned, he said his client had changed his instructions to say it was not as high as 90 per cent.

The prosecutor opposed bail, alleging the man had committed “serious violent assaults” and had choked the woman to the point of losing consciousness.

She also alleged the injuries sustained by the woman were “quite apparent”, as police had seen she had visible bruising and marks.

“The only protection for the complainant is to see the defendant remanded in custody,” the prosecutor said.

Magistrate Glenn Theakston said he was concerned about the seriousness of the alleged violence and how the woman had apparently “blacked out” during the alleged choking.

He also said the man had already pleaded guilty to his role in an incident of “inexplicable violence” inflicted by him and another person in an unrelated matter from late 2023.

Bail was refused and the man was remanded in custody. The matter was adjourned to 26 November.

The man has been handed two choking-related charges, as well as single counts of unlawful confinement and assault.

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.