An alleged bikie gang associate is behind bars after police charged him with stalking and intimidating a care and protection worker who gave evidence in a case relating to his children.
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The 31-year-old north Canberra man, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was arrested late last year as part of what police described as an ongoing investigation into the distribution of drugs by outlaw motorcycle gangs in the ACT.
After being charged with a series of drugs and firearms offences, the alleged Rebels associate was granted bail on conditions that banned him contacting any members of the gang.
He returned to the ACT Magistrates Court on Tuesday, appearing via audio-visual link from a cell in the city police watch house after being arrested again and charged with six new offences.
The fresh charges, which date back to December 2021, include stalking a Child and Youth Protection Services staff member and intimidating the same woman on account of her having appeared as a witness in an ACT Children's Court proceeding.
The man is further accused of impersonating the woman with intent to deceive.
His most recent charge accuses him of intentionally damaging the window of a police vehicle on Monday.
The 31-year-old did not enter pleas on Tuesday, when defence lawyer Darryl Perkins, appearing as an agent for high-profile Sydney solicitor Adam Houda, applied for him to be granted bail.
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In light of the charges already before the Magistrates Court, Mr Perkins was required to prove there were special or exceptional circumstances that would justify his client being released again.
Attempting to do so, Mr Perkins argued the defendant would spend an "inordinate" amount of time in custody if he was refused bail.
The lawyer also said being incarcerated would be "an impediment" to the man being able to participate properly in ongoing care and protection proceedings.
Mr Perkins added that the man was appearing in court via audio-visual link from the watch house because police believed he had COVID-19, which "mystified" the 31-year-old.
"He tells me he most certainly doesn't," Mr Perkins told the court.
Prosecutor Keegan Lee said the man was involved in "an ongoing level of criminal activity" as he argued there were no special or exceptional circumstances that would justify bail.
He also told the court there was no evidence to suggest there would be an inordinate delay or that the 31-year-old would be unable to properly participate in the care and protection proceedings.
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