A Ford technician wept tears of joy over the Holtze prison video link today, as a judge granted him bail on charges of 'Aggravated Assault' and 'Make A Threat To Kill A Person', after his arrest on Friday.
23-year-old former student Mohammad Rafi wiped away his tears as the judge asked: "Mr Rafi, can your hear me? What are you crying about?"
Rafi: "That you're going to grant me bail."
With a clean criminal history, fulltime employment and now a place on the Salvation Army Open House program on Mitchell street, Rafi was granted bail today.
Before making his decision however, the judge requested to hear the alleged victim's concerns.
The prosecution said: "She is a university student who lives on her own. These allegations are serious examples of domestic violence offending.
"It was a prolonged attack. Extremely frightening for the victim, and in our submission, the prosecution's case is strong."
- Prosecution's submission
"We have photographs on file. We have a victim's impact statement. The victim was engaging with authorities to seek assistance and protection.
"She disclosed coercive control behaviours, but in terms of other physical incidents, we didn't get anything to that affect.
"I did explain the electronic monitoring. I explained the exclusion zone. She is scared of some sort of revenge."
Rafi's defence lawyer said: "If your honour is concerned about the safety of the victim, given the seriousness of the accusations, the court can make the strictest of conditions on Mr Rafi."
In handing down his decision, the judge said: "During the interview process, Mr Rafi asked community corrections to contact the complainant and tell her to drop the charges."
"Community corrections held some concerns with that behaviour, that is, the suggestion that she be contacted, and it's been reported to NT Police.
"I note that any complainant in this situation would be apprehensive, at the very least.
"I note what Mr Rafi said to community corrections, and that it's been reported to police.
"I also note community corrections have found Mr Rafi 'expressly suitable' for the Open House program. That would be on electronic monitoring. There would be an exclusion zone.
"Despite some cultural and language barriers between probation parole officers and Mr Rafi would be expected, I do believe he understands the situation that he'd be in.
"I am going to grant bail, but I am going to speak to him as well, before I formally do that.
In a very loud stern voice, the judge spoke directly to Rafi: "I am going to grant you bail, but only if you understand. One. Thing.
"You are to have absolutely nothing to do with that woman.
"You don't go anywhere near her. You don't telephone her. Facebook. No social media. Nothing!
"You do that, and you'll be in jail. For over a year. And then you'll be kicked out of Australia as well. So it's up to you.
"You can contact her if you want, then that will be it.
"You are not allowed in the northern suburbs. Work is the main reason I am giving you bail. Because you're going to need to keep working."
Rafi agreed, before attempting to get an explanation in: "One second thing sir. I was working on Friday when the police came and handcuffed me and took me to Palmerston."
Rafi's lawyer interrupted.
During the proceedings, Rafi's lawyer did talk in his defence, but a lot of it was low-talking and unfortunately barely audible for Mango to hear in person, and my audio recordings.
The judge concluded: "Just so we're clear Mr Rafi. Charles Darwin University is in the northern suburbs. Malak will be included. You're not allowed there either."
The judge asked Rafi's defence lawyer to make sure he understood.
The matter was adjourned to 2pm on the 29th July for directions.
We are The Mango Inquirer.
