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The Canberra Times
The Canberra Times
National
Lanie Tindale

Alleged abuser claims DPP is harassing and laughing at him in courtroom

A man facing 17 family-violence-related charges accused a lawyer of harassing him and trying to make him "breach [an order] on purpose" at the ACT Magistrates Court on Thursday.

The north Canberra student, who Canberra Times has not named to protect the identity of an alleged victim, has been accused of head-butting, choking and performing an act of indecency against a woman.

The man was in court on Thursday to make a second application for bail when he accused prosecutor Sam Bargwanna of "trying to make me breach on purpose" and harassing the alleged victim.

The student is facing charges including two counts of assault, choking or strangling, distributing and threatening to distribute intimate images, an act of indecency, damaging property, four counts of contravening family violence orders and three counts of minor theft.

Representing himself via video-link, the man said Mr Bargwanna "continues to laugh at me".

Magistrate Louise Taylor said the prosecution lawyer was sitting in front of her and "he's not laughing at you".

Ms Taylor warned the man anything he said on the record could be used against him, and recommended he ask his "very experienced" lawyer to represent him in court.

"He won't answer me," the man said, before claiming his defence lawyer would not tell him what charges he was facing.

The northside man wanted to apply for bail, saying the complainant had withdrawn her allegations against him.

However Ms Taylor said it was not uncommon for complainants in family violence cases to withdraw complaints, and prosecutors may still press charges when that happens.

It is alleged in court documents that in June last year the man accused his partner of cheating of him, held her shoulders and headbutted her, grabbed her by the throat, pushed her onto a bed and touched her vagina without her consent.

He also allegedly "smashed up" two televisions, the woman's car, pot plants and the garage roller door.

The man is also accused of texting the alleged victim a photo of her performing a sexual act, and threatening to send it to her father.

Police claimed the man jumped three fences to escape them before they found him lying on the ground and arrested him.

In different court documents, police said the alleged victim told them she had been trying to get away from the man for a number of months, "however the defendant continues to engage in manipulating behaviour when he approaches [her]".

"[She said he] continues to attend her residence unannounced and fears repercussions should she deny [his] attendance ... [she] fears for her safety and welfare," police said.

On Thursday, Ms Taylor told the man that as she had heard his first bail application, he may want another magistrate to hear his second.

He agreed and is scheduled to appear in court on Tuesday.

A man facing 17 family-violence-related charges accused a prosecutor of harassing him at the ACT Magistrates Court on Thursday. Picture: Shutterstock
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