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The Canberra Times
The Canberra Times
Lucy Arundell

'You're not leaving': Man allegedly choked partner in 'very dangerous' incident

A man accused of choking his partner, dragging her by the hair remains behind bars after a court described the allegations as "very, very dangerous".

The 22-year-old was arrested on Saturday night after police found the alleged victim cowering behind a car near the home the couple shared.

On Monday, the man entered pleas of not guilty to several family violence charges, including unlawfully confining a person, intentionally choking another person and aggravated common assault.

Magistrate Glenn Theakston refused his bail application at the ACT Magistrates Court, citing concerns about the "very, very serious" nature of the charges.

The magistrate said choking allegations were a "very, very dangerous event that essentially places the life of the complainant in the hands of the defendant".

"If the pressure holds for too long, a person can die," he said.

The man was already on bail at the time of the incident, after pleading guilty to a charge of joint commission common assault.

According to police documents, on Saturday night the couple were drinking and taking drugs with friends at their home when the woman missed a call from a blocked number.

The ACT Magistrates Court, where the man was refused bail. Picture by Karleen Minney

Police say she told the man the call was from an ex-partner, after which he became "enraged and elevated" towards her.

After their friends left the home, the man allegedly grabbed the woman by the throat, then dragged her by her hair before pushing her to the ground.

It is said that the man then wrapped his hands around her neck and began to choke her, causing her begin to blackout.

She tried to escape the home, but police allege her partner said "you're not leaving, where do you think you're going," and began to choke her against a wall next to the front door. He also allegedly took her car keys.

It is alleged the women "was required" to scratch the man on his abdomen to escape, after which she called the police, who found her cowering behind a car outside the home with bruises and red marks on her throat.

The man's defence lawyer argued he would lose his "lucrative, important job" if his bid for freedom was denied.

The court also heard the 22-year-old helped his interstate parents pay their rent, and had a dog to look after in the ACT.

The defence lawyer argued the risks were not serious enough to deny bail, and it was a "he said, she said situation".

However, prosecutor Madeleine Gallo said the man posed too great a risk to his partner, and that a relationship breakdown was a "very dangerous" time for victims of family violence.

She argued the woman would only be protected if her partner remained in custody.

"The injuries sustained [by the woman] are actually quite apparent, with visible bruising and red marks," she said.

The man is set to face court again in November.

  • Support is available for those who may be distressed. Phone Lifeline 13 11 14; MensLine 1300 789 978; Kids Helpline 1800 551 800; beyondblue 1300 224 636; 1800-RESPECT 1800 737 732.
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