Pub owner with ‘history of domestic abuse’ refused bail for rape charges

A Canberra pub owner has been refused bail after allegedly filming himself raping his former partner as she slept.

The unnamed 35 year old man, who was arrested yesterday afternoon,  pleaded not guilty to committing an act of indecency and recklessly engaging in sexual intercourse without consent.

Although the alleged sexual assault took place in January 2011, it only recently came to the attention of police after the vicitm’s mother found video footage and images of the incident on an old camera memory card.

Police seized cameras and a USB memory drive after searching two properties in Flynn as well as the man’s business. These devices had videos and images of the man assaulting his former partner on four different occasions. 

ACT Magistrates Court heard there was a possibility that she was not his only victim as videos found during the searches show the man assaulting an unidentified woman.

On Thursday, Prosecutor Ryan Roberts said bail should be refused as it was likely the man would commit more offences, endanger the safety and welfare of others, and interfere with evidence or witnesses. 

The man’s lawyer, Peter Woodhouse, acknowledged, "There's no escaping that these are serious [alleged] offences and they are somewhat bizarre in the way they were detected given they are nine years old." 

Mr Woodhouse also expressed that bail conditions could mitigate any perceived risks posed by his client’s release. He also mentioned that the man had very limited  criminal history and on previous occasions demonstrated an ability to comply with court orders.

Magistrate Bernadette Boss denied the man bail, saying police documents indicated that the alleged incident in 2011 was not a one-off occurrence, but part of “a history of domestic violence and controlling behaviours” during the man’s relationship with the alleged victim.

The man will return to court in August.