An amateur cage fighter police have described as presenting one of their “greatest fears of family violence” has been refused bail.
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John Beirouti, of Carrum Downs, has been remanded over the Christmas period and will reappear in court next year to face a string of charges which include burglary, trafficking drugs and breaching an intervention order.
Police alleged Beirouti “blatantly” disregarded court orders and continued to commit family violence against a former partner on a daily basis, despite an intervention order banning him from doing so.
Detective Sergeant Craig Dooley told the Ballarat Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday it is alleged Beirouti, whose stage name is Animal, on one occasion threatened to cut out the tongue of his former partner if she ever went to police.
On another occasion it is alleged he strangled her with an extension cord until she passed out, and on another threatened to inject her children with the drug ice.
It is also alleged Beirouti burgled a number of Ballarat houses, taking off with more than $36,000 worth of valuables, despite being banned from the area as part of his previous bail conditions.
When he was arrested in Napoleons police found a number of items believed to be proceeds of crime in the accused’s bedroom.
Questioned by police, Detective Sergeant Dooley told the court Beirouti made self admissions to trafficking ice to a “Nifty Nev” who paid for it in stolen goods.
Opposing bail he said police believed Beirouti posed a risk to his former partner and the wider community
Beirouti’s lawyer, Manny Brennan, questioned whether police had any physical evidence of the family violence allegations, in which Detective Sergeant Dooley said there was not, but added it is believed Beirouti deleted images of bruises from the woman’s phone.
Mr Brennan argued a strong drug treatment plan, which would involve counselling with a private drug treatment facility, combined with strict bail conditions could reduce his client’s risk of re-offending.
He said Beirouti also had work available, and was motivated to attend an anger management program, which added to his cause.
As for the allegations, Mr Brennan said many of the family violence matters were uncorroborated.
After 2.5 hours of submissions, magistrate William White declared “one could not grant bail in any matter”.
Beirouti is expected to contest the matters in January.
