ACT News

Canberra man 'terrorised' woman for 18 months: Prosecution

A Canberra man allegedly "terrorised" his partner for 18 months before she called police on New Year's Day, a court has heard.

The man appeared before the ACT Magistrates Court on Monday and was charged with 14 offences, including threats to kill, multiple assaults, possession of offensive weapons and damage to property.

All were against the same woman, who was his partner.

He had allegedly smashed a car windscreen, slashed a car tyre, as well as possessed a sharpened half of scissors and a large knife.

The alleged offences dated back to September 2015, with the latest said to have been committed on January 1, 2017. The man was arrested in the early hours of Monday.

The prosecution opposed bail, saying that over an 18-month period the man had "what can only be described as terrorised" the victim.

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The prosecutor said there were fears he would reoffend against the same woman, and that he would harass or intimidate and endanger the safety of the woman, who had now called police.

Remand in custody would also be in the man's own interest, the prosecutor said, as he had threatened to kill himself if the woman ever left him - which she now had.

A Legal Aid duty lawyer said the man's criminal history lacked violent offences against people, and that he had the capacity to not reoffend, as evidenced by a seven-year gap in the history.

He said he was instructed that the complainant had a substance abuse problem, and a propensity to be violent and self-harm.

But the man was refused bail by Magistrate Glenn Theakston, who said the allegations were for an extended period of time, and that the most recent three alleged offences were significant.

He was not satisfied any bail conditions would mitigate the risks.

The matter will return to court later in January.