A public servant and ACT mental health coordinator who allegedly beat his partner so severely that she bled from her eye has been denied bail, after a magistrate expressed concern over the "apparent ferocity" of the attack.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The 48-year-old Chifley man called police about 1am on Sunday, allegedly telling them he had just hit his partner during an argument and needed an ambulance.
Police rushed to the home, and went inside to find the woman in bed, partially covered by a blanket.
Her face showed signs of serious injury.
Blood was seen coming from the inside of the left eye, which was swollen and bruised shut, police say.
The right eye was similarly bruised, but was slightly open.
Police noted scratches to her face, marks on her neck, and bruising to her nose and left arm.
The officers arrested the man, who told them the pair had had an argument, and that he had become upset about something she said several days earlier.
He said he had consumed three quarters of a bottle of vodka and half a bottle of champagne, although a later breath test only returned a result of 0.07.
The woman was taken to hospital for treatment, and later told medical officers she had been subjected to a long period of physical and emotional violence.
The man appeared in the ACT Magistrates Court on Monday, charged with assault occasioning actual bodily harm.
The court heard the man was a project manager with the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet, and a coordinator of the ACT's step up, step down mental health program.
Through his lawyer, he denied that there was any history of violence, but conceded alcohol was a problem. He offered to abide by conditions not to drink and to reside away from the Chifley home.
The prosecution opposed his release on bail, arguing he posed a risk to the complainant.
The court heard a more serious charge of recklessly inflicting grievous bodily harm would likely be laid.
Magistrate Peter Morrison said the "apparent ferocity" of the attack and the serious nature of the injuries caused him considerable concern.
He said he could not ignore allegations of a lengthy history of physical and emotional violence, and said there was a likelihood that the man would harass or intimidate his partner if released.
The man was refused bail and will reappear later this month.
