A 27-year-old woman has faced the ACT Magistrates Court accused of hitting her ex-partner with her car. Photo: Albert McKnight.
CONTENT WARNING: This article refers to alleged family violence.
A public servant with a security clearance has been refused bail after she allegedly stole her ex-partner’s dog then hit him with her car soon after their break-up.
An ACT Policing spokesperson alleged the woman, who is not named to protect her ex-partner’s identity, took the dog from his home on Wednesday night (14 January).
The spokesperson said the man went to her southern Canberra home to get his pet back later that night. But when he did, the woman allegedly drove her car into him, hitting him and knocking him to the ground.
Paramedics were called to the scene and treated him for his injuries.
The 27-year-old woman was visibly upset when she faced the ACT Magistrates Court charged with burglary, reckless driving, failing to stop after a collision and assault.
She applied for bail, which was opposed by the prosecutor who claimed the woman took the man’s dog without his consent and swerved to hit him with her car. She allegedly tried to drive into him again, but he was dragged to safety by his brother and friend.
The prosecutor said the man was worried the woman may retaliate against him because he called police.
But the court also heard there were two different version of events about the night: the version by the man, his brother and friend, as well as the woman’s version.
Her lawyer, Legal Aid’s Donovan Kelso, said his client had gone to the man’s home to pick up the dog so it wouldn’t be left outside in Wednesday night’s storm.
He said she denied that she had ever made a threat involving the dog.
The court heard it was conceded that the car the woman was driving did collide with the man.
But Mr Kelso said his client claimed the man had aggressively approached her with a weapon when she was in the vehicle and she had been in significant fear for her safety at the time.
Mr Kelo said his client worked in a Federal Government department and could lose her job if she was remanded in custody as she needed a security clearance for her employment.
But Magistrate Glenn Theakston said he would refuse bail, with some reluctance.
He noted the two different versions of the night and said it was difficult to know where the truth lay.
But he said the police’s allegations were “alarming” and suggested there was an immediate risk to the safety of the man, his brother and friend if the woman was released.
He also said it appeared “some unusual boundaries have been broken”, as the dog was taken when the woman didn’t own it and the relationship had ended by that time.
The woman was remanded in custody and the matter was adjourned to 6 February. 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.
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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