No bail for choke charge accused
A GEELONG man accused of choking a woman later made phone calls from behind bars in a bid to get her to withdraw her allegations, a court has heard.
Jye Dunford, 31, appeared at the Geelong Magistrates’ Court yesterday where he was denied bail.
The father of four has been in custody since January this year facing serious charges including strangulation, reckless conduct endangering life and false imprisonment.
The charges arise from an alleged incident on New Year’s Day when it is claimed Mr Dunford assaulted a woman to a point that she was at risk of death.
The court heard Mr Dunford had also been charged with attempting to pervert the course of justice following a series of phone calls he made to his father and brother while in custody.
Detective Senior Constable Brendan O’Mahoney said the calls captured Mr Dunford asking the duo to speak with the alleged victim, with an intention to get the unlawful imprisonment charge withdrawn.
He opposed bail amid concerns about Mr Dunford’s risk to the community, particularly to the complainant, who he said was in fear of the accused man being released.
Defence lawyer Jonathan Barreiro said Mr Dunford was intending to contest the charges.
He said there was a prospect his client could spend an inordinate period in custody while awaiting trial, adding that a stable address was available at a friend’s home.
Magistrate Ann McGarvie refused bail after ruling that Mr Dunford had failed to demonstrate exceptional circumstances to be released. He will return to court in October.