Accused violent stalker allegedly had 'pattern of fixation and obsession' towards ex-partner

CONTENT WARNING: This article refers to alleged family violence.

An alleged stalker accused of kicking his ex-partner and harassing her with hundreds of phone calls demonstrated a “pattern of fixation and obsession”, a court has heard.

The 33-year-old man from Charnwood, who isn’t named to avoid identifying his ex, arrived at her home on Saturday (22 March), an ACT Policing spokesperson alleged.

He allegedly became aggressive, yelled at the woman, deliberately tripped her up and kicked her.

The woman was allegedly left with bruises and sought medical treatment for her injuries on Monday (24 March) before the matter was reported to police.

“Police allege the man also harassed his former partner with multiple phone calls, observing more than 50 missed calls on her phone, and went to her home when she wasn’t there,” the police spokesperson said.

The man handed himself in at Belconnen Police Station and was charged with stalking, assault and using a carriage service to harass.

He faced the ACT Magistrates Court on Tuesday (25 March) where he applied for bail.

His lawyer, Legal Aid’s Alana Clarke, said he had never spent time in custody before and argued that strict bail conditions could ameliorate the risks of his release.

“It is my respectful submission that [the man] should be given one more chance to comply,” she said.

Prosecutor Corinne Kennedy opposed bail, arguing the information in court documents demonstrated the man had shown “a pattern of fixation and obsession” with his ex.

“He does not take no for an answer,” she told the court.

She alleged he presented “quite a risk to the complainant and her children”.

Magistrate Ian Temby said Ms Kennedy was probably correct when saying the man had demonstrated a fixation on his ex, partly as his contact with her was alleged to have continued even after he was aware she had called police.

He said the bail application was “borderline”, but he ultimately said the man’s alleged behaviour reflected “a lack of judgement”, not an inability to comply with bail conditions.

Magistrate Temby also said the man didn’t have any convictions for the charges of stalking or using a carriage service to harass.

Bail was granted on conditions including that the man not contact his ex-partner or be near her or her home.

The matter was adjourned to 22 April. No pleas were entered.

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.