Canberra man who threatened ex-partner with pipe bombs and napalm has been granted bail on domestic violence charges

A Canberra judge has cited red flags in the case against a man accused of domestic violence offences, including the discovery of an alleged pipe bomb at his former marital home and a threat to pour napalm on his former partner and set her on fire.

The man admitted a series of domestic violence charges in which he made threats of violence and distributed intimate images.

The court heard the relationship ended in 2023.

The man allegedly drove a car into his former partner and sent him images of the bullets and the alleged pipe bomb.

Details of the case emerged during his bail application when the man asked the court to allow him to live with his family in Queensland.

Prosecutors objected, saying there was evidence he might have tried to circumvent domestic violence orders barring contact with the alleged victim by getting his mother to help him.

Suspected pipe bomb behind dishwasher

The court heard several recorded conversations between the pair while the man was behind bars.

During the conversation, the man’s mother told him that some workers had found the suspected pipe bomb behind the dishwasher.

She told him they were “scared” and called the police.

During the conversations, the man was trying to dissuade anyone from interfering with the police.

Judge Marcus Hassall said he was concerned by the long list of allegations that had been going on for months.

He drew attention to the conversations about the pipe bomb claim.

Judge Hassall said the man claimed he was between a rock and a hard place and had gone a long way from the complainant to allaying concerns.

He said he may still try to communicate through electronic means, but he also said supervision will be reduced.

Judge Hassall said this was particularly worrying as there was evidence the man had controlling personality traits.

The man was refused bail and will remain in Canberra prison until he is sentenced in January.