A man has been refused bail after police raised concerns he may kill or seriously harm his former partner if released.
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Magistrate Letizia Torres said accused man John Dinatale had met the exceptional circumstances test for bail but she considered him an unacceptable risk of re-offending.
"I am not confident the risk of reoffending can be mitigated by conditions," she said.
"Imprisonment has not been enough to manage his behaviour and attitudes."
Charge sheets obtained by The Courier reveal Dinatale is facing a total of 51 charges relating to alleged family violence and animal cruelty.
Imprisonment has not been enough to manage his behaviour and attitudes.
- Magistrate Letizia Torres
Police allege he made six threats to kill and two threats to inflict serious injury.
He is charged with three counts of intentionally causing injury, five counts of recklessly causing injury and three charges of unlawful assault, once with a machete.
Dinatale is accused of strangling, and chasing and cutting off his former partner in her car while the children were also inside.
Other charges include attempting to pervert the course of justice, using a carriage service to harass and committing an indictable offence while on bail.
He is also alleged to have committed conduct placing a person in danger of serious injury, failed to store firearms correctly and animal cruelty to a dog and horse by beating them with a broom.
Dinatale appeared via video link from custody at the Ballarat Magistrates' Court on Monday for Ms Torres to hand down her decision on bail.
Ms Torres said the alleged offending was 'very serious' involving physical violence causing injuries, following his former partner and children in the car when they attempted to flee, threats with a firearm and causing harm to the family dog.
The court heard the complainant had told police she feared for her life and for the safety of her children.
Ms Torres said telephone calls Dinatale had made from prison demonstrated his ongoing anger and animosity.
She said she assessed the prosecution case as strong and Dinatale was likely to receive a jail term if found guilty given the nature and quantity of the alleged offences.
"The children are vulnerable and have experience and been exposed to family violence," Ms Torres said.
"Your son, despite his young age has intervened to try to protect his mother."
Ms Torres said she understood Dinatale had a long history of family violence and had allegedly put pressure on his former partner not to leave him and not to involve police.
"Your violent and threatening behaviour appears to be longstanding and entrenched," she said.
Ms Torres said she took into account support from Dinatale's parents and siblings and the evidence his father had given to the court, including a surety.
She said she was satisfied the exceptional circumstances test for bail was made out due to the significant delay in the case and his lack of prior convictions meaning pre-sentence detention may exceed any sentence.
"Unacceptable risk is another matter," Ms Torres said.
"I am not confident the risk of reoffending can be mitigated by conditions."
Dinatale will remain in custody and will return to court in June for a two day committal hearing when the witnesses will be cross-examined.
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