The man who allegedly assaulted his pregnant partner, threatened children and fired at police has had his case heard in the ACT Magistrates Court. Photo: Michelle Kroll.
CONTENT WARNING: This article refers to alleged family violence.
The man accused of assaulting his pregnant partner, threatening children and shooting at police in a standoff on Christmas Eve last year has been handed fresh charges.
The 39-year-old, who is not named to protect his partner’s identity, faced the ACT Magistrates Court over an audio-visual link from the Alexander Maconochie Centre on Monday (19 January).
He was formally handed two new counts of making a threat to kill, which related to two females.
“I don’t even know them,” the man remarked after he was charged.
Prosecutor Taden Kelliher sought a six-week adjournment in the matter, saying he had recently met with police and that authorities were considering upgrading various charges the man faced.
Police may also lay further charges, he said.
Mr Kelliher said they were awaiting expert reports, including one from a firearms expert, before deciding how to proceed.
Magistrate Alexandra Burt said she would adjourn the matter so the reports could be complied and so the man, who is represented by Damian Lloveda of the Aboriginal Legal Service, could get legal advice.
“There’s no chance for bail?” the man asked.
The magistrate told him to speak to his lawyer about bail. She remanded him in custody and adjourned the matter to 2 March. No pleas were entered.
Last year, ACT Policing said the man allegedly punched his pregnant partner in the head several times on the evening of 24 December 2025.
Members of the public allegedly saw him carrying a firearm while following her when she left the home in Whitlam before he fell over, causing him to fire the gun into the air.
Police received multiple reports of the incident. They arrived at around 7 pm and established a cordon using significant resources, including a tactical team and negotiators, while learning that two children were still inside the home.
Over about 20 minutes, it is alleged that the man fired his gun 12 times at various locations inside the home.
It is further alleged that he aimed and fired the gun at police four times and made several violent threats to police and the children.
Just before 9 pm, he allegedly climbed a rear fence of his property and again made threats to police before losing balance and falling to the ground, where officers were able to arrest him.
“Police entered the residence, locating two children, who were transported to hospital with non-life threatening injuries,” a police spokesperson said last year.
“About 11 pm, officers executed a search warrant at the residence, locating a modified black air rifle with a scope.”
The man was originally charged with single counts of assaulting a pregnant woman, attempting to assault a frontline community service provider and the unauthorised use of a prohibited firearm.
He was also handed four counts of discharging a firearm, endangering life and two counts of 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.
If you or someone you know has been affected by sexual violence, you can report to police by attending a police station or calling 131 444.
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