Joshua Ethan Pellew refused bail over ‘disturbing’ allegation of domestic violence

A man has been accused of a “disturbing” attack on his partner, with police alleging the complainant believed she was going to die when he threatened her with a whipper snipper, poured petrol over her head, and stripped her naked in a burning hot shower. Joshua Ethan Pellew was refused bail when he appeared in Kalgoorlie Magistrates Court last week and did not enter a plea to the charge of with intent to harm, omitted to do any act that it was the person’s duty to do or did any act as a result of which the life, health or safety of any person was or was likely to be endangered. The 33-year-old allegedly unleashed a persistent attack on his 24-year-old partner of five years — the mother of his two-year-old child — on November 4 after becoming jealous over messages she was sending. Prosecuting Sen. Const. Matthew Fullgrabe told the court Mr Pellew allegedly smashed a water jug on the woman’s forehead, threw her into a wall and kicked her before dragging her by her hair into the lounge room. Once there, he allegedly held a whipper snipper above her and threatened to turn it on, with Sen. Const. Fullgrabe stating the woman shielded herself in a ball and believed he was going to kill her. Mr Pellew then allegedly grabbed a jerry can of petrol and poured it over her head, hit her in the leg, and dragged her by her hair into the bathroom. Police say he then pushed her into the shower, poked her in the chest and whipped her in the throat with the nozzle of the jerry can. When he left the room, police say the woman closed the door but was unable to lock it, and tried to open the window to escape. Mr Pellew allegedly returned with a barbell with no weights on it and held it above his head as she screamed for help through the window. Sen. Const. Fullgrabe said Mr Pellew then dragged her back into the shower, stripped her naked and turned the hot water on “in an attempt to burn her”. He said a neighbour who heard the woman’s screams for help called police, who then forced entry into the home. Magistrate Paul Lyons recalled giving Mr Pellew a chance on a pre-sentence order in October for what he described as a “rampage” of offending while seeking out his partner in various locations. A representative from Adult Community Corrections told Mr Lyons Mr Pellew had not made any appointment for substance issue counselling and had returned two positive urinalysis tests for cannabis and meth while on the order so far. Defence lawyer David Pawson said while the allegations were of a “very serious and disturbing nature”, he believed strict conditions or home detention bail could be considered. He also suggested the complainant may have reached out to police with her views on bail, as she had attempted to contact him earlier but was advised it was not appropriate. Sen. Const. Fullgrabe said the last contact he had noted down was from November 18. Mr Pellew attempted to speak up from the video link to Eastern Goldfields Regional prison throughout the hearing, with Mr Lyons advising him it would be best for him to let his lawyer speak. Mr Lyons said he didn’t think any conditions — including home detention — would adequately address Mr Pellew’s risk of reoffending. After his bail was refused, Mr Pellew again asked if he could say something, to which Mr Lyons said “no”. 1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732)