An Illawarra labourer facing serious domestic violence allegations has been released from custody on conditional bail, despite issuing a chilling threat to his terrified partner that was caught on police cameras.
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The man, who cannot be named for legal reasons, stands accused of assaulting his partner and standing over her in an act of intimidation while she was holding their nine-month-old baby in her arms on Monday afternoon.
The alleged incident was so alarming the woman's two older children, who are aged 10 and 11, fled the property and took refuge at a bus stop half a kilometre away from the home, where they contacted police.
Officers arrived to discover the man in an agitated and aggressive state, holding onto the child as he spoke to his mother on the phone.
While being escorted to the police paddy wagon, the man turned to the alleged victim and told her "you're gone". The incident was captured on two police body-worn cameras, as well as being overheard by the three officers in attendance.
The man also allegedly told police nothing would stop him from seeking out his child.
He was taken to Lake Illawarra Police Station and charged with assault, intimidation and property damage offences and remanded in custody overnight.
During a bail application in Wollongong Local Court on Tuesday, police said the alleged victim was terrified the man would return to the home and believed no court order would prevent him from seeking the family out.
Meanwhile, prosecutors also revealed they held significant concerns for the safety of the woman and her three children given the man's apparent disregard for the terms of the interim apprehended domestic violence order (ADVO).
However, defence lawyer Fiona Jowett said the man could live at an address at Fairy Meadow - far from the woman's home - and would agree not to approach or contact her.
Magistrate Gabriel Fleming agreed to release the man on strict conditional bail, noting he did not have any other matters of violence on his record.
However, she warned him if he breached the ADVO he would be unlikely to get bail again.
As part of his bail, the man must not consume illegal drugs or alcohol and must report to police twice a week.
The case will return to court on December 7 for plea or mention.
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