A 72-year-old Kambah man has been refused bail after he allegedly threatened to kick his wife to death and left her with bruises near both eyes.
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The couple, married for nearly 50 years, were having an argument while watching television on August 15 when the husband forced his wife to the floor and then punched her in the face, the ACT Magistrates' Court heard on Saturday.
Court documents said the defendant, wearing RM Williams riding boots, then allegedly kicked the woman a number of times to her left shoulder and abdomen before saying, "I'm going to kick you till you die".
The woman said she believed this would occur as her husband was stronger than her. She took her handbag and left the home. When she returned to the Kambah home a short time later, the defendant allegedly told her to get out or he would kill her, the documents said.
She returned to the home the next day to find the front screen door lock had been changed. Her daughter then called police to report the alleged bashing.
The defendant was charged with two offences of threats to kill and one charge of assault.
In a police interview the woman said her husband had been verbally and physically abusive to her during the marriage. No charges had been laid.
Duty defence lawyer Mark Jehne said there was no likelihood of the defendant failing to appear or of being violent if released, and he could reside in a separate property in rural NSW. Mr Jehne said the defendant had lived in Canberra for 37 years and ran a business for 45 years.
Prosecutor James Walker opposed bail, saying the defendant's actions were "cowardly" and bail conditions would not be enough to mitigate a likelihood of harm against a family member. No pleas were entered.
Magistrate Beth Campbell said the case was an example of the difficulties for the court in dealing with alleged violence behind closed doors, and the defendant's actions were "unexplained on the evidence". Ms Campbell said a daughter corroborated her mother's views that there had been violence in the past.
Bail was refused as Ms Campbell said she was not prepared to take the risk the defendant would harm the woman if released.
The matter was adjourned to Tuesday, September 1.
