A Canberra magistrate has described allegations that a woman stole her ex-partner's dog and then intentionally drove her car into him as "alarming," leading to her being remanded in custody.
Court hears conflicting versions of violent incident
The 27-year-old woman, whose identity has been suppressed to protect the alleged victim, faced the ACT Magistrates Court on Thursday, January 15, 2026. She was denied bail and is yet to enter pleas to charges including burglary, dangerous driving, failing to stop to give assistance, and aggravated assault occasioning actual bodily harm. All charges are classified as family violence offences.
Police prosecutors told the court that around 10:20pm on Wednesday, January 14, the woman allegedly stole the man's dog from his residence. Later that night, when the man went to her home in the Canberra suburb of Dunlop to retrieve the animal, the situation escalated dramatically.
It is alleged the woman deliberately drove a vehicle at the man, striking him and causing him to fall. An ambulance was called to the scene, and paramedics treated him for his injuries.
Legal arguments and bail denial
Legal Aid duty lawyer Donovan Kelso argued for his client's conditional release. Mr Kelso told the court there was a "significant disparity" between the two accounts of the event. He said he had been instructed that the woman had taken the dog to protect it from an impending storm and had made no threats regarding the pet.
Furthermore, he claimed the woman alleged her ex-partner had approached her vehicle aggressively while armed with a weapon, leaving her in "significant fear for her safety." Mr Kelso also argued that remaining in custody would likely cost the woman her government job and private rental accommodation, placing her in a vulnerable position.
A prosecutor strongly opposed bail, stating the alleged victim feared retaliation for contacting police. The prosecutor alleged the woman "deliberately drove her car at the complainant, swerved to hit him, and attempted to repeat the manoeuvre."
Magistrate's 'reluctant' decision
Magistrate Glenn Theakston ultimately denied bail, stating he did so "with much reluctance." He acknowledged the difficulty in ascertaining the truth from the conflicting narratives but found the police allegations to be "alarming."
Mr Theakston said the accusations suggested "an immediate risk" to the safety of the alleged victim, which justified the decision to refuse bail. The woman is scheduled to return to court next month.
Support is available:
- Lifeline: 13 11 14
- MensLine: 1300 789 978
- 1800-RESPECT: 1800 737 732
- Canberra Rape Crisis Centre: 6247 2525
