A Canberra magistrate has cited red flags in the case against a man accused of family violence offences, which included the discovery of an alleged pipe bomb in his former marital home and a threat to pour napalm over his former partner and set her alight.
The man pleaded guilty to a raft of family violence charges in which he threatened violence and to distribute intimate images.
The court heard the relationship had ended in 2023.
The man is alleged to have driven a car at his former partner, and to have sent images to her of bullets and the alleged pipe bomb.
Details of the case emerged during a bail application when the man asked the court to let him go to live with his parents in Queensland.
Prosecutors objected, saying there was evidence he might try to circumvent the family violence orders preventing contact with the alleged victim, by getting his mother to help him.
Suspected pipe bomb behind dishwasher
The court heard several recorded conversations between the pair, while the man was behind bars.
During the conversation the man’s mother told him that some workmen had found the suspected pipe bomb behind the dishwasher.
She told him they “freaked” and called the police.
During the conversations the man had been trying to dissuade anyone from involving police.
Magistrate Marcus Hassall said he was concerned about the long list of allegations over several months.
He noted the conversations about the alleged pipe bomb.
“It appears to have been an attempt to stop police knowing about it,” Magistrate Hassall said.
Magistrate Hassall said the man was between a rock and hard place, purporting to go a long way from the complainant to allay concerns.
He said he’d still be able to attempt contact through electronic means, while at the same time supervision would be diluted.
Magistrate Hassall said this was a particular concern given there was evidence the man had controlling personality traits.
The man was denied bail and will remain in Canberra’s jail, until he is sentenced in January.
