A man has been accused of assaulting and threatening his ex-partner at knifepoint in front of neighbours just over two weeks after promising a court he would not harass the woman.
"I'm going to come back and burn the house down," the ACT Magistrates Court heard Daniel Donnelly, 29, allegedly said last week.
Sixteen days earlier, he had been granted bail after being charged with trespassing and property damage, on the condition he not assault, harass or intimidate his former partner.
Returning to court earlier this week, Donnelly was not afforded the chance of conditional liberty again and refused bail.
He has not entered pleas to newly laid charges of making an intentional threat to kill, assault, and property damage, following his latest arrest.
Magistrate Robert Cook said he was not satisfied court-ordered conditions could prevent the man from committing a crime against the woman, "who was already protected by bail conditions".
The alleged victim has consented to be identified in media reporting.
According to police documents, the former couple had been arguing on the phone as Donnelly blamed the woman for his time spent in custody.
When the alleged victim came to Donnelly's home to speak to him, he is accused of abusing her outside the residence, ripping her jumper and pulling out a knife.
He allegedly put the blunt edge of the weapon across the woman's forearm and pushed it into her skin numerous times.
It is said the alleged victim's child sat in her waiting vehicle.
Police documents claim neighbours who witnessed the incident started yelling at Donnelly to drop the knife, which he is said to have then waived towards the onlookers.
The woman walked away to her vehicle as Donnelly allegedly yelled threats, including that he would "smash up her property".
The magistrate said the allegations in the prosecution case, which he was entitled to take at its highest, showed a "clear breach" of Donnelly's bail conditions.
Legal Aid lawyer Gillian Bilton said Donnelly's criminal history was largely characterised by dishonesty.
"Mr Donnelly does not come to court with a history of family violence," she said.
Prosecutor Liam Taylor told the court the alleged victim was "genuinely fearful of the defendant, of what he would do if he was granted bail".
Mr Taylor also noted Donnelly had previously failed to appear in court numerous times.
In an interview with police after his arrest, Donnelly said the alleged victim came to his home, where her friends abused him, he told her to "f--- off" and nothing else happened.
In court, the man expressed frustration with being placed in custody over the allegations.
"Where's the innocent until proven guilty? There is none," he said.
Donnelly is set to return to court next month.
- Support is available for those who may be distressed. Phone Lifeline 13 11 14; MensLine 1300 789 978; 1800-RESPECT 1800 737 732; ACT Domestic Violence Crisis Service 6280 0900.
