Donald Flanigan: Carnarvon man allegedly beat terrified partner before forcing her on car ride to Geraldton

A man who allegedly beat his partner with the butt of a hunting knife and forced her into a car ride from Carnarvon to Geraldton, before she was able to flee to a roadhouse, has been denied bail. Donald Flanigan, 41, appeared from custody via video link in Geraldton Magistrates Court on May 29 for a bail application for 19 charges including deprivation of liberty, unlawful assault, wounding, making a threat and being armed in a way that may cause fear. On the evening of February 26, it is alleged Mr Flanigan had suggested to his partner that the two use a car borrowed from an acquaintance to drive from Carnarvon to Geraldton. When she refused, it is alleged she ran from the car away from Mr Flanigan on a gravel path in East Carnarvon. Police prosecutor Sgt Ross Gray said he then pursued the woman, armed with a hunting knife. A group of three witnesses are said to have seen Mr Flanigan chase his partner, and it is alleged he threatened them with the knife when they tried to throw him off by telling him she ran in an opposite direction. It is claimed Mr Flanigan eventually caught up to her, and dragged her by the hair back to the car, while also punching her head and body and hitting her on the face with the butt of his knife, leaving her with two black eyes, a split lip and nose, and a number of cuts and bruises. Sgt Gray said the two drove south towards Geraldton, and the woman attempted to flee when they stopped at Overlander Roadhouse on North West Coastal Highway. He is said to have caught her again and once again dragged her by the hair back to the car, while threatening a witness who allegedly saw the ordeal. The accused is said to have fallen asleep later that night, at which point the alleged victim fled to The Billabong roadhouse, 244km from Carnarvon and 232km from Geraldton. Mr Flanigan was then said to have been arrested as he continued driving to Geraldton by himself on February 27. His lawyer, Sabrina Maine, said her client disputed the facts of the case, and she asked Magistrate Angus Hockton to consider bail due to the long wait that could be expected if the case went to trial. Mr Hockton denied bail, stating there were a number of risks he was concerned about, noting Mr Flanigan was facing three charges of breaching bail. “I am satisfied there is a real risk Mr Flanigan may fail to appear, that he may offend, and he may attempt to influence the witness,” he said. Mr Hockton said the prosecution had a strong case, and that if he was convicted, an immediate term of imprisonment would be likely. Mr Flanigan will next appear in court on June 22.