Bail denied for man accused of using hammer and knife to wound his partner in breach of restraining order

A man accused of hitting his partner in the head and knee with a hammer, cutting her face with a knife, and poking her eyes with his fingers while a restraining order was in place, has been denied bail. Kalgoorlie Magistrate Benjamin Tyres told Waiyamba Beasley in court on Thursday it was “quite worrying” he thought he would be released on bail given the seriousness of the allegations and his past criminal history. On October 19, police say the 27-year-old got into a jealousy-fuelled argument with his partner, and picked up a hammer which he used to strike her in the knee and head while also kicking her in the hip and pressing his fingers into her eyes. Mr Beasley is accused of holding a knife by the blade with the tip of the knife sticking out of his hand and striking her in the face, causing a cut to the eyebrow which bled “profusely”. Police say his actions breached a family violence restraining order put in place in August, which barred Mr Beasley from contacting or being within 50m of the protected person. Mr Beasley did not enter pleas to charges of unlawful wounding, criminal damage, and breach of a family violence restraining order. Mr Tyres noted there had been “some suggestion” of self-defence being raised, but told Mr Beasley he believed he would “struggle to run with that”. He also told defence lawyer David Pawson he had “a real hill to climb” to convince him bail was appropriate. Mr Pawson suggested protective bail conditions, surety, strict reporting, and a potential curfew would give the court reassurance Mr Beasley would not reoffend. However, Mr Tyres said protective conditions would probably be futile considering Mr Beasley already had convictions for breaching an FVRO, as well as the fresh allegation which, if he was convicted of it, would place Mr Beasley in a third-strike position. “I have absolutely no confidence whatsoever you will comply,” he said. “It is a bit worrying you thought you were going to get bail given the position you are in. It shows you have no comprehension.” The matter was adjourned until a future date in December. 1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732)