A 35-year-old man was refused bail on four charges involving his ex-partner on Monday. Photo: Michelle Kroll.
CONTENT WARNING: This article refers to alleged sexual and family violence.
A controlling and manipulative man allegedly repeatedly groped his ex-partner in his car before dragging her out of the vehicle and punching her in front of bystanders, a court has heard.
The 35-year-old man allegedly met the woman, whom he had been separated from for about two years, in a Dickson car park on Sunday evening (18 May).
She got into his car to speak to him before he allegedly “forced himself” on her, touching her breast and genital region, the ACT Magistrates Court heard.
It is alleged she begged him to stop, but he drove away while she was still in his car and continued indecently touching her before he also assaulted her.
A short time later, the man stopped the car on Fairbairn Avenue in Majura, dragged the woman from the vehicle, threw her belongings on the grass and repeatedly punched her.
“Witnesses who observed the assault contacted police and waited with the woman until officers arrived,” an ACT Policing spokesperson said.
The court also heard that when police arrived, the man allegedly told the woman not to speak to them.
The man, who isn’t named to avoid identifying the woman, was arrested and faced the Magistrates Court on Monday (19 May). He was charged with two counts of committing an act of indecency, as well as single counts of assault and property damage.
He applied for bail and his lawyer, Legal Aid’s Alana Clarke, proposed he be released from custody on “strict and stringent” bail conditions.
She said her client had no criminal history and lived in NSW, while the woman lived in the ACT. They had been separated for about two years, she said.
“They have no reason at all to be in contact,” she said.
Prosecutor Liam Taylor, who opposed bail, said the man’s alleged conduct and behaviour was “one of manipulation and control”.
He alleged that while the relationship had ended, the man still demonstrated a large amount of control over the woman. This allegedly included him forcing her to transfer him money and continuing to force her to speak to him.
Mr Taylor also alleged the man had told the woman and police that he had bought flights to return to China, so he argued there was a very real risk that he would try to flee the country.
Magistrate Amy Begby said police reported the woman “struggled to escape from the defendant for years”.
“It is particularly concerning that the alleged offence occurred within public view on the side of the road,” she said.
“The complainant is particularly vulnerable, given that the defendant is her only connection in the ACT, which makes her vulnerable to continuing coercion by the defendant.”
Magistrate Begby was not satisfied that bail conditions could address the risks and refused bail, remanding the man in custody.
He will face court again in June. 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.
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