Bjorn Andrew Wilson: Binnu farmer charged over alleged six-year spate of “extreme” domestic violence

A Binnu farmer was charged this week over allegations he subjected his now-estranged wife to a six-year reign of terror involving “extreme acts of violence” and threats to kill. Bjorn Andrew Wilson was arrested on Monday after the woman came forward detailing numerous acts of violence allegedly committed between March 2015 and November 2020. Among the dozens of charges, the accusations include near-daily choking, threats to murder and bury her in a back paddock and fracturing her jaw by throwing a vase at her face in a fit of rage. The 45-year-old appeared in Geraldton Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday to face 42 charges including 19 counts of assault, 11 counts of endangering life, health and safety and five counts of making threats to harm or kill. Among the most recent accusations, it’s alleged he lured the woman to his West Binnu farm late last year while they were separated and aimed an unlicensed shotgun at her, cocking the weapon. It’s alleged when he noticed she brought her daughter to the property, he told her he would have killed her if the girl wasn’t present. Prosecutor Sgt Beau Jones told the court the alleged verbal, emotional and physical abuse was used as a “means of coercion and control” over the woman over a prolonged period of time. The court was told some of the allegations were supported by corroborating evidence including witnesses, recordings and photos of her alleged injuries. Represented by defence lawyer George Giudice, a bail application was put forward for Mr Wilson to return to his 6000ha farm as a matter of urgency. He said the farm was at a “crucial time in development” adding if bail wasn’t granted it might lead to his financial ruin. “He’s got about a million in debt and does all the manual labour,” he said. “There’s been no allegation of violence since the relationship ended.” But Sgt Jones said police “strongly” opposed bail because they believed he was a threat to the safety of the woman and witnesses. “Our position is significant harm would come to her,” he said. “We don’t believe a mere agreement with the court is sufficient enough to protect her.” Magistrate Chris Miocevich agreed, saying from what was present in the material facts “he’s a clear danger to the complainant”. “The allegations against Mr Wilson are prolonged acts of domestic violence of an extremely serious nature,” he said. He said he needed to “weigh up” Mr Wilson’s right to be treated as innocent until proven guilty and the knowledge it would take up to two years to go to trial against protecting the woman’s safety. “This may be one of those rare cases that are so serious bail is not appropriate,” he said. “I’ve never had a case like this that fits that rarely used section of the Bail Act.” He ordered a home detention report to evaluate the possibility of using a monitoring device to restrict Mr Wilson’s movement but warned him he had yet to decide if bail was appropriate. Mr Wilson was not required to enter pleas and the matter will return to the same court on Thursday.