The police officer worked in the region with the Australian Federal Police for the last five years, the court has heard. Photo: Michelle Kroll.
CONTENT WARNING: This article refers to alleged family violence.
Over the course of about a day and a half, a police officer allegedly assaulted his wife, was granted bail, then breached a bail condition before ending up back in court.
The officer, who worked with the Australian Federal Police (AFP) but is not named to protect his family’s identity, has been charged with assault and damaging property.
It is alleged he was drunk when he found out his wife, also a serving police officer, had an affair. He allegedly pushed her, punched a hole in the wall of their Canberra home, pushed her outside then locked the door in the early hours of Monday morning (18 August), the ACT Magistrates Court heard.
The court heard he allegedly locked himself inside the home with their two very young children and when police arrived they found him with both children in his arms, despite being very intoxicated.
He was seen sobbing when he faced court later on Monday and was granted bail, despite opposition from the prosecution, on conditions including that he only speak to his now-ex-wife in writing about their children.
That night, he answered his phone when she called him to discuss the practicalities about managing their employment, but he said he didn’t want to talk about that.
He said goodnight to one of their children on the call, but then spoke to his ex-wife again and made the comment, “You know what you f-ing done, right?”
He was arrested for breaching his bail then faced court again, sobbing, early on Tuesday afternoon (19 August). His lawyer, David Healey from David Healey Solicitors, said he admitted the breach.
The prosecutor applied to revoke the officer’s bail, saying that while it was not the most serious breach, the comment he made to his ex-wife was concerning.
She said that while the ex-wife had called him, it was up to him not to answer the phone.
“It has been less than 24 hours … and he is back before the court,” the prosecutor said.
Mr Healey opposed the application to revoke bail, saying that while his client shouldn’t have answered the phone call, he hadn’t been malicious and was very mentally unwell.
“He wasn’t thinking straight at the time; he just wanted to speak to his son,” he said.
“He’s not shown any acts of threats or violence.”
Mr Healey said his client had been suspended with pay by the AFP and was a “cleanskin” with no prior criminal history.
Chief Magistrate Lorraine Walker noted how the police officer breached his bail by responding to a phone call and that breaching bail within 24 hours was “a very silly thing for a person to do”.
She said his ex-wife was yet to have a formal interview with police and the prosecution appeared to have some fears about her being coerced.
But Chief Magistrate Walker also said that it was impossible for the court to determine what exactly the officer meant by his comment, “You know what you f-ing done, right?”
She said it was clear he behaved foolishly, but she was satisfied that the salutary lesson of his being arrested for the breach would be learned, and he would now fully understand his bail obligations.
She continued bail on conditions, including that he not contact his ex-wife except in writing regarding their children, not approach her and not drink alcohol.
The matter was adjourned to September. 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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