A 29-year-old Townsville man has been refused bail after a woman was allegedly strangled and threatened with a firearm.
Police allege the man left a home in Townsville in a car, taking their toddler with him, about 1:30pm on Tuesday.
Officers intercepted the car a short time later and found the child unharmed.
They say they located a knife, baseball bat in the car and a firearm at a home that they allege belong to the man.
The man has been charged with two counts each of assault occasioning bodily harm and contravening a domestic violence order, as well as single counts of strangulation, common assault, deprivation of liberty and threatening violence.
The woman – the child's mother – was taken to the Townsville University Hospital for assessment.
The man began swearing and hurling abuse at Judge Richard Lehmann as he faced Townsville Magistrates court via video link on Thursday after his application for bail was denied.
"Worthwhile putting on the record ... upon being refused bail he then proceeded to abuse me, call me names and give me the finger," Judge Lehmann said.
"That shows he has no respect for the court."
The matter has been adjourned until February 24.
Domestic Family Violence and Vulnerable Persons Unit Officer-in-Charge Acting Sergeant Kallan Drury commended officers on the arrest and the safe return of the toddler.
"This was an outstanding combined response by general duties officers, detectives and the tactical crime unit to ensure the man was taken into custody as quickly and safely as possible," she said.
"Domestic violence is a scourge on society and often has lifelong impacts on the victims and children.
"Townsville police are committed to protecting the victims of the cowardly crime that is domestic violence and holding perpetrators accountable for their actions.
"Everyone has the right to live without fear of domestic and family violence."
Police say the investigation is ongoing and there may be further charges.
