Summernats patron allegedly broke into partner's home and repeatedly assaulted him

A man had left Summernats 36 on the weekend before he allegedly broke into the home of his on-and-off-again partner, repeatedly assaulted him and fled, leaving his alleged victim bruised and bleeding.

While the defendant, a 52-year-old from Braddon who has not been named to protect his partner’s identity, does have a “horrendous” history of committing violent offences, he was granted bail in the ACT Magistrates Court on Monday (8 January).

He had allegedly forced open his partner’s front door at around 12.30 am on Sunday (7 January), then began punching him multiple times in the head and threw him into a dining table.

While the partner tried to run away, the defendant allegedly followed and continued punching him in the face.

The partner eventually escaped his house and called Triple Zero with his smartwatch.

Police arrived shortly afterwards and found the partner covered in blood and bruises, which they say was consistent with “a significant physical altercation”.

While the partner originally gave a version of events to police, he later declined to make a recorded statement or give his consent for officers to use the photos they had taken of his injuries. He also refused to go to hospital.

Meanwhile, police arrested the defendant near his partner’s home and allegedly found he was “covered in significant amounts of blood on multiple parts of his body”.

“Police were unable to locate any injuries on the defendant that would be consistent with the blood on his body,” police said.

The defendant was charged with burglary and assault in the Magistrates Court and applied for bail, which was opposed by the prosecution.

His lawyer said the pair had gone to Summernats together where he had been drinking and was under the influence of alcohol at the time of the allegations.

“He does not recall the assault taking place,” she said.

Chief Magistrate Lorraine Walker said the defendant had “a horrendous history of violence”, but she also thought there was “a weak prosecution case” for these recent allegations.

She granted bail under strict conditions, including that he not contact his partner and not go near his home.

The matter was adjourned to 30 January.

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, and Lifeline on 13 11 14. In an emergency, call Triple Zero.