Man allegedly breached intervention order by texting and visiting partner in hospital

Jesse Dardo, of Bacchus Marsh, allegedly first breached the intervention order when he visited his partner in a Ballarat hospital on October 14.

The Ballarat Magistrates Court was told on Friday Dardo allegedly sent 12 text messages to the complainant, some of which were of a threatening behaviour.

Police prosecutor Leading Senior Constable Steve Kent told the court on October 19, the complainant woke at 2.15am to find the accused standing at the end of her bed.

He said Dardo, who had used her house key to enter her house without her consent, was controlling and attempting to rekindle his relationship with her.

Police allege Dardo again bombarded his partner with text messages, saying he was going to attend her address.

The court was told the complainant phoned the police, and when they arrived, she was emotional and distressed.

She told police she was in fear of Dardo.

Leading Senior Constable Kent said police opposed Dardo’s bail application because he was an unacceptable risk of re-offending and endangering the safety and welfare of the public, particularly the complainant.

But defence lawyer Andrew Madden said the complainant was in court supporting Dardo and she wanted police to drop the charges.

He said Dardo’s partner also wanted to vary the intervention order against Dardo.

“The nature and seriousness of the offending (is) there is no physical violence alleged by the police,” Mr Madden said.

“It’s not in the most serious category for this type of offending.”

He said Dardo’s mother would supervise him and take him to appointments if he was released from custody.

Magistrate Bob Kumar said the onus was on Dardo to show compelling reasons as to why he should be bailed.

“There is always a risk of granting bail,” Mr Kumar said.

But he said the complainant was supporting Dardo in court and he had been assessed suitable for the Court Integrated Services Program.

Mr Kumar granted Dardo bail with strict conditions he report to the police station daily, live at a stable address in Bacchus Marsh, comply with the intervention order and not to use drugs of dependence.

“It would be very foolish to breach the conditions,” he said.

Dardo will next front court in December.