Ballarat court
AFTER being told their relationship was over, a man allegedly told his ex-partner, “if I can’t have what I want, none of us can”, before driving straight at a power pole, a court has heard.
Minas Castisios was granted bail from Ballarat Magistrates Court yesterday, after he was charged with 12 offences including aggravated burglary and reckless conduct endangering life over the weekend.
Police prosecution did not oppose Castisios’s bail application, however magistrate Kay Robertson took considerable time in deciding whether or not to release him from custody.
Police prosecutor Senior Constable Steve Kent read a summary of the alleged offending to the court, saying that during the early hours of Saturday morning Castisios was driving the victim home from a night club when she told him their relationship was over.
He said Castisios then started driving erratically before saying “if I can’t have what I want, none of us can”.
Castisios allegedly drove at a power pole but missed after hitting the curb.
When the car was stationary the victim allegedly got out and ran into her home, locking the door.
Senior Constable Kent said Castisios jumped a fence and entered the home through a rear door where he grabbed the victim’s friend – who was staying at her house – and punched him a number of times in the face.
During a police interview, Castisios denied intentionally driving at the power pole, but admitted having difficulty controlling his emotions and anger.
Defence lawyer Hamish Locke said the incident had been “a dramatic wake up call” for his client.
“I would stress that there are no allegations of violence against the victim,” he said.
To which magistrate Kay Robertson said: “I would have thought attempting to drive into a power pole is fairly violent”.
Mr Locke said his client had never intended to assault anyone, and was remorseful for his actions.
Ms Robertson granted bail but said her main concern was Castisios – who has allegedly breached an intervention order put in place on September 4 three times – re-offending.
Castisios is due back in court on December 13 for committal mention.