A magistrate has refused bail to a man accused of threatening to kill his partner's teenage son, while wielding a sledgehammer.
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The 31-year-old appeared at the Bendigo Magistrates' Court on Monday and applied for bail, following his arrest at the weekend.
The court heard the accused man had been drinking before he allegedly punched his partner in the chest after a confrontation.
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The pair were in the garage of the victim's home and the victim ran into the house, locking the door.
The accused allegedly began punching the door before striking it with a sledgehammer, as the victim and her 15-year-old son tried to keep it closed.
The woman ran to call triple zero and returned to find her partner allegedly holding the sledgehammer above his head while he said to her son, "Come on big boy, you want to have a go? I'll f***ing kill you too".
Police attended and arrested the man.
The court was told the man had denied making threats to kill.
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Police prosecutor Senior Constable David Rennie told the court bail was opposed on the grounds the accused man posed an unacceptable risk of endangering the safety and welfare of any person, and failing to appear while on bail.
The accused man's defence lawyer, Alex McLennan, said some of the allegations were in contention, and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic meant the matter could face significant delay in reaching a resolution.
The accused had instructed it was an isolated incident of drinking, Mr McLennan said, with the man having relapsed after previously engaging in treatment.
He said the man had strong family support and the court heard evidence from the man's father that the man could live with him if released on bail.
Mr McLennan submitted that bail conditions could alleviate any risks the man posed.
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But magistrate Sharon McRae said she was not satisfied the accused man faced an inordinate delay or time in custody longer than any prospective jail term.
Ms McRae also said there were no suitable bail conditions she could impose that would reduce risk to an acceptable level.
She described the alleged family violence offending as being of "an extremely serious nature".
The man was remanded in custody to appear at the Bendigo Magistrates' Court again next month.
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Natalie Croxon
Reporter at the Illawarra Mercury, mostly covering social affairs. Previously of the Bendigo Advertiser, Northern Daily Leader and Quirindi Advocate. Our Watch award winner.
Reporter at the Illawarra Mercury, mostly covering social affairs. Previously of the Bendigo Advertiser, Northern Daily Leader and Quirindi Advocate. Our Watch award winner.
