Cop told: Explain DV claim

A MAGISTRATE has ordered a police officer to explain “extremely serious” allegations that a Gold Coast woman was the victim of almost daily rape and sexual abuse at the hands of her partner.

It comes after a man who has been charged with a domestic violence strangulation offence made an application for bail in the Southport Magistrates Court yesterday.

The court was told the man, who cannot be named for legal reasons, allegedly punched his partner in the face and strangled her during the week.

During the bail application the court was told the man exhibited “highly controlling” and “manipulative” behaviour.

Magistrate Mark Howden took issue with an allegation from the arresting officer in an affidavit which stated the woman had been “a victim of almost daily rape and sexual abuse” without providing evidence.

“These are extremely serious allegations, where do they come from?” Mr Howden said.

The police prosecutor said she did not have evidence on hand.

Mr Howden replied: “That worries me because (the allegation is) just sitting in an affidavit.”

Defence lawyer Michael Purcell, of Potts Lawyers, said it was not clear where the allegations came from. “It’s not clear from the affidavit, it seems to be, in my submission, musing by the complainant to the social worker,” he said.

Mr Howden adjourned the matter to Monday, asking for an explanation from the arresting officer: “If allegations like that are going to be made then the police must have something to support those sets of allegations. If it’s misleading there will be consequences – it’s just too serious.”