A 22-year-old man has been granted conditional bail after being arrested at Canberra Airport, where he was allegedly attempting to flee the territory following a violent assault on his pregnant former partner.
Alleged attack in a Canberra home
The incident is alleged to have occurred in the woman's home on the evening of Tuesday, December 16, 2025. According to allegations presented to the ACT Magistrates Court by prosecutor Corinne Kennedy, the man became aggressive and assaulted the woman, who was recently pregnant. During the alleged attack, the woman was reportedly taken to the ground in a shower.
The court heard that the man is accused of both strangling and hitting the woman. Prosecutors cited photographic evidence of bruising on the alleged victim, whom Ms Kennedy described as "highly vulnerable". The alleged victim called a family member for help, prompting the accused man to leave the premises.
Arrest at the airport before interstate flight
ACT Policing officers located and arrested the man at Canberra Airport later that same evening. He was reportedly preparing to board a domestic flight to another state, where he normally resides. The arrest prevented his departure from the Australian Capital Territory.
The man faced the ACT Magistrates Court on Wednesday, December 17, charged with single counts of choking, suffocating, or strangling another person, and common assault. He did not enter pleas to the charges during the hearing.
Bail granted with strict conditions
Despite prosecution opposition, which raised concerns about retribution and the vulnerability of the alleged victim, Chief Magistrate Lorraine Walker granted the man bail. His Legal Aid solicitor, Eimear Silk, argued that a suite of stringent conditions could address any risks.
The bail conditions imposed are extensive. They include an order for the man to leave the ACT by 6pm on the day of the hearing. He is prohibited from re-entering the territory except for pre-arranged legal appointments. Chief Magistrate Walker also issued an interim family violence order for the protection of the alleged victim.
In her remarks, Magistrate Walker noted that some of the injury photographs provided by police were not clear, describing this as a "constant issue not just at bail but at hearing". The case is scheduled to return to court in January for further proceedings.
