The Cairns Post

Bail on assault charge

Man lashes out after partner’s baby taken

- JANESSA EKERT janessa.ekert@news.com.au

A MANOORA man who allegedly unleashed his frustratio­ns on Department of Child Safety officers after his partner’s newborn was removed has been granted bail.

The Cairns Magistrate­s Court was told in a bail applicatio­n the 28-year-old had only just found out he was not the child’s biological father.

It is alleged the man had been at the Cairns Hospital about 1.45pm Wednesday and, when he was spoken to by the officers, became aggressive and made threats before being removed by security staff.

Senior Constable Russell Parker said the officers attended to their business and were there for about an hour.

On attempting to leave the hospital it is alleged they were again approached by the man and a verbal argument ensued, Sen-Constable Parker said. The man allegedly approached and threatened the officers on Lake St.

“There were threats allegedly made to the government officers concerned and the security officer at the hospital,” Sen-Constable Parker said.

The officers were able to get into their vehicle and drive off. No one was injured.

“Both incidents were reported to police and as a result of patrols that were made, about three hours later the man was located in a vehicle near the intersecti­on of Lake and Grove streets,” Sen-Constable Parker said.

The man, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was charged with common assault, obstructin­g an authorised officer and public nuisance.

Sen-Constable Parker said the man had been co-operative with police.

Police prosecutio­n objected to bail because the man is in a show-cause position, having been charged with indictable offences while on bail for other indictable offences.

The court was told the man’s partner had given birth to the baby just days before this alleged offending occurred.

In that time he had found out he was not the biological father but decided to raise the child.

The court was told that when the baby was removed he was triggered.

Magistrate Robert Spencer said the man was an acceptable risk and granted bail. Matters were adjourned to a later date.

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