The 41-year-old man faced the ACT Magistrates Court charged with assault and weapons offences. Photo: Michelle Kroll.
CONTENT WARNING: This article refers to alleged family violence.
Police allege a terrifying incident took place outside a north Canberra school this week when a man attacked two schoolchildren, including his daughter, before using an axe to threaten others.
The man allegedly went to the carpark of a Gungahlin school before midday on Tuesday (28 October), where he approached his 17-year-old daughter and her friends before berating her for not being in class, the ACT Magistrates Court heard.
He allegedly tried to punch one of the friends before slapping his daughter in the face.
It is alleged he later parked his car in front of one of the friend’s cars and pulled out an axe, causing the friends to flee.
Afterwards, the man allegedly continued to berate his daughter at home and pulled out a sword before driving her back to her school and saying he would “deal with the boys”.
“The incident was reported to police, and about 2 pm yesterday, the man was arrested,” an ACT Policing spokesperson said.
The 41-year-old from Bonner has been charged with two counts of assault and one count of possessing an offensive weapon with intent.
He faced the Magistrates Court on Wednesday (29 October), where prosecutor Daniel Bamber opposed his bail application, saying he was concerned the man would reoffend or endanger his daughter’s safety.
The court heard the daughter had moved out of the family home since the incident and no longer intended to live there. She no longer felt safe around her father, Mr Bamber said.
Rachel Bird of Rachel Bird & Co, appearing for the man, said her client ran two businesses, one of which involved landscaping.
There may be a good reason why he had an axe with him due to the nature of his employment, she said.
Magistrate James Stewart ultimately said he would grant bail, but had come very close to refusing it due to the allegations.
“If these allegations are true, that behaviour is outrageous,” the magistrate told the man.
“I can’t tell you how close I’ve come to remanding you in custody today, because I think this is extremely serious.”
He told the man that his other children would be extremely upset by his daughter’s absence, seeing as she had now left the home.
Magistrate Stewart granted bail on several conditions, including the man not contact or approach his daughter or her friends, or go near her school. He must also arrange for the sword to be handed in to police.
The matter will return to court in November. No pleas were entered.
Neither the man nor the school have been named to protect the daughter’s identity.
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.
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