Matthew Murray: Geraldton man who allegedly attacked partner and threatened to ‘gut’ her given bail

A Geraldton man accused of brutally attacking his partner and threatening to “gut” her has been granted bail after facing court for the first time over the offences.

Matthew Murray appeared from custody in Geraldton Magistrates Court on Monday charged with two counts of common assault in circumstances of aggravation, one count of making a threat to unlawfully do an act and criminal damage.

Police prosecutor Sgt Ross Gray said Mr Murray and the alleged victim had been in a family relationship for two years prior to the incident on March 3, 2022.

Mr Murray was intoxicated when he got into a verbal argument with the alleged victim which escalated when the man allegedly placed two hands on her neck.

Police allege the 43-year-old man pushed the woman over causing her to roll her ankle, while Mr Murray subsequently fell on top of her. Once on the ground, the alleged victim kneed Mr Murray in the groin in self-defence, police claim.

It is alleged the assault continued as the man slapped her in the face and pushed her from the kitchen into an adjoining living room and on to the couch.

Once there he is accused of applying force to her neck and restricting her breathing for 10 seconds before letting go. The alleged victim fled the address and did not report the incident due to “fear of retribution”, police say.

Police attended over a separate domestic violence allegation more than nine months later on January 6, 2023.

On this occasion the pair had a verbal argument again. As the alleged victim was walking past the accused into the kitchen Mr Murray is alleged to have slapped her buttocks “extremely hard”. The argument was allegedly recorded on the woman’s phone, the court was told.

That same day Mr Murray is accused of texting the woman, “You bring your c..., in my home again, I will gut you both, you have been so deceitful.”

On January 8, the alleged victim claims she began receiving abusive text messages from Mr Murray, when she returned home from work she found the bathroom door and shower screen were damaged. He was arrested at the scene.

Outlining an application for bail, defence lawyer Sabrina Maine said Mr Murray would move to Mandurah, mitigating any risk of interfering with witnesses.

Sgt Gray opposed bail citing an escalation of offences and that the woman feared for her safety due to a long history of unreported domestic violence.

Magistrate Angus Hockton decided to grant Mr Murray bail with protective conditions in place. He will reappear in Geraldton Magistrates Court on February 6.