A Helensburgh man has been banned from contacting his ex-partner and their young child following a terrifying domestic violence incident allegedly involving the use of a metal pole as a potential weapon.
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The man, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was granted strict conditional bail in Wollongong court on Thursday after agreeing not to approach or contact the woman or their daughter, who witnessed the entire ordeal.
Court documents said the man turned up at his ex-partner’s house about 3.40pm on Boxing Day on an unrelated matter however while there, began speaking with his daughter on the front porch of the house.
Police allege the man picked up his daughter and moved her to the front yard for unknown reasons, prompting the girl’s grandmother to come out of the house.
“The young person at this stage was visibly upset, crying and stating she didn’t want to leave with the accused,” police said in a set of fact sheets tendered in court.
Police allege the man picked up a nearby metal pole and walked towards the grandmother, who retreated to the front door but became stuck between the screen door and a dog kennel on the porch.
It is alleged the man began hitting the metal pole on the dog kennel and said “I’m going to f—king kill you”.
The court heard the man’s daughter screamed out to her father put the pole down”, allegedly distracting him for long enough to allow the grandmother to go inside the house.
The man then walked across the road, still holding the metal pole. His ex-partner returned to the house a short time later, at which time she too was allegedly threatened.
Police said they drove into the street to see the pair on the roadway, with the man allegedly “standing over” his ex-partner with the pole raised in his right hand.
Meantime, the woman allegedly had both arms extended towards the man’s chest area.
Upon seeing police, the man immediately dropped the pole and lay on the ground, court documents said.
He was charged with two counts of being armed with intent to commit an offence and remanded in custody.
Police opposed the man’s bail application in court on Thursday, citing concerns for the safety of the victim if he was released.
“It’s an extremely serious offence which would have quite frankly been terrifying for those present including his young daughter,” prosecutor Amelia Wall said.
“In my submission the court would have real concerns about the safety of the alleged victim if [the man] was granted bail.”
However, defence lawyer Paul Craner said the man had a limited criminal record and would agree to abide by strict bail conditions as well as an interim apprehended violence order.
He suggested a full-time jail sentence was not “inevitable” if the man was ultimately convicted of the offences.
Registrar Kirby Moore agreed to release the man on bail on the condition he report to police three times a week, have no contact with his ex-partner or daughter and abstain from drugs and alcohol unless prescribed by a doctor.
The matter will return to court on January 10.
