Phillip Aaron Dodd: Magistrate grants alleged DV perpetrator bail twice after cutting off ankle monitor, twice

A man accused of horrific domestic violence has sparked his second manhunt in just eight days after a magistrate granted him bail with an electronic monitoring device — despite him having cut it off once before. Police have been hunting Phillip Aaron Dodd for more than two weeks after he removed his ankle monitoring device on January 31. He is believed to be wearing a wig as a disguise. The West Australian understands Mr Dodd first faced court on January 23 over allegations he punched his partner and threatened to chop her up with a machete. He then allegedly struck her with the weapon’s blunt edge. He was granted bail with electronic monitoring conditions, despite opposition from police. Police say Mr Dodd then breached those bail conditions and removed the device within days, sparking a manhunt. He was arrested and faced court again on January 30 when police again recommended bail be refused. However, a Geraldton magistrate granted him bail again. Within 24 hours Mr Dodd had removed the device, triggering a second major manhunt. Police have now been hunting him for more than a fortnight. “Our preference was that he is remanded in custody, in which case, we wouldn’t need to use our resources in this manner,” Det Supt Rohan Ingles said. “For the past 14 or 15 days, WA Police have expended significant resources in searching for Mr Dodd, both in the Geraldton area and the Perth metropolitan area. “He still remains at large, but I stress to you, we are not stopping the search for him that we will continue until he is located and arrested.” Supt Ingles said he believed Mr Dodd was “actively avoiding apprehension”. “He knows we’re looking for him . . . he knows that, because the last 15 days we’ve had several police officers out actively searching for him and we have received some information that he may be deliberately disguising his appearance to avoid apprehension,” he said. Mr Dodd is described as being 175cm tall with a medium build, black hair and brown eyes. Members of the public are advised not to approach him but to call police immediately on 131 444. People have been warned they may be committing an offence if they assist someone who is wanted by police for criminal offences. Anyone with information relating to his recent movements is asked to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or online. Information can be provided anonymously and a reward of $1000 is eligible for information that leads to a person being charged. 1800 RESPECT