Man allegedly dragged woman by throat, fractured her ribs during attacks

CONTENT WARNING: This article refers to alleged domestic violence.

A man is accused of repeatedly attacking a woman over several weeks, leaving her with serious injuries to her ribs and even dragging her by her throat.

It is alleged the woman fell to the floor in agony when Liam Nizam Shahriar repeatedly began punching her before he then also started slapping her multiple times across her face and body in the first incident earlier this year, court documents say.

The woman went to hospital, allegedly in extreme pain, and told staff she had been injured after getting into a fight with another woman in a car park.

She was found to have one broken rib and two fractured ribs.

Police allege that in another incident, the pair got into an argument. When the woman tried to remove herself from the situation, Shahriar allegedly choked her and dragged her by the throat.

In the last alleged incident, he threw a television remote into her back, hit her in the head and then choked her from behind when she tried to leave. She was allegedly unable to breathe for 10 seconds.

When she escaped after this alleged incident, he reportedly sent her 32 abusive text messages, including one that said, “I’ll track you down and f-k you up, sl-t”.

After Shahriar was arrested on Monday (30 September), he allegedly spat on a police officer’s face while he was being held in the ACT Watch House.

The 23-year-old was handed two counts of choking-related charges, two counts of assault-related charges, as well as single counts of using a carriage service to harass and damaging Commonwealth property.

He applied for bail in the ACT Magistrates Court on Monday (1 October), which was opposed by the prosecutor, who said the woman was extremely fearful for her safety.

The court heard there had been a short relationship between her and Shahriar.

“The [woman] genuinely believes that if he is released on bail, he will kill her. The prosecution agrees,” the prosecutor said.

Shahriar is also accused of damaging an intercom in the ACT Watch House and assaulting the police officer by spitting on him after his arrest.

“Even in custody, he continues to offend,” the prosecutor alleged.

His defence lawyer, Legal Aid’s Lesley Jayasuriya, said if his client was granted bail, he could live with a friend in Charnwood, and he reportedly had strong family support in the community.

Mr Jayasuriya said his client worked as a concreter three days a week and was worried he could lose his job if he were remanded in custody.

Magistrate Robert Cook said he had serious concerns about Shahriar being released on bail and refused it.

He was remanded in custody and the matter was adjourned to 22 October. No pleas were entered.

“Be strong, be strong,” Shahriar told his supporters in the courtroom’s gallery after his bail was refused.

“Love you guys. See ya.”