Kill threats end bail bid

A MAN was ordered to spend the weekend behind bars after he allegedly threatened to kill his wife in front of police.

The 49- year- old Bluewater man appeared in the Townsville Magistrates Court on Saturday, and was refused bail after he was deemed too much of a risk.

The court heard the man allegedly made threats to kill his wife in front of police, and repeated those threats to watchhouse staff.

Police prosecutor Sergeant Mick Harms opposed bail, saying the man had threatened to kill his wife if released from custody.

“He has threatened that she was going to regret it when he got out,” he said.

“While in the watch- house he made threats to kill his wife once released.

“He informed watch- house

While in the watchhouse he made threats to kill his wife once released

SGT MICK HARMS

staff that he would be back ( if released) by the afternoon.”

Sgt Harms said the man also made threats “to get watch- house staff”.

Magistrate Peter Smid asked if police were concerned the man’s wife could be killed over the weekend.

“Exactly right,” Sgt Harms said.

Defence solicitor Paul Gray said the man was intoxicated at the time and had alternative accommodation if granted bail.

But Mr Smid refused bail, saying the man’s threats were concerning.

“He persisted ( with the threats),” he said. “I am faced with a woman in our community who has had threats to kill made against her.

“He looks benign and soft ... but I can’t take that risk.”

The man, who was in the dock, said: “You’re kidding.”

Mr Smid said: “No. I am not kidding.”

The man was remanded in custody and the case will be mentioned again tomorrow.

The man’s arrest comes after Michael Geoffrey Hutchinson, 47, was charged with his wife Julie Hutchinson’s murder last week.

The Condon man has also been charged with interfering with her corpse.

The 48- year- old mother of two was reported missing on April 9 but she hasn’t been seen by her family since March 7.

Earlier this month, the trial of a man accused of killing his ex- partner was adjourned for three months.

Kynan Watego Devenna was charged with murder after Sarahjane Dower’s remains were found at Herveys Range on September 3, 2012.