Robert James Butler: DV accused allegedly told partner ‘I can’t let you leave’ after squeezing her neck

A man is accused of throttling his partner and screaming at her that he could not let her leave him after she decided to pack her bags following an argument. Robert James Butler, 43, appeared in Kalgoorlie Magistrates Court last week charged with deprivation of liberty and impeding another person’s breathing. He did not enter pleas to the charges, but the details were read to the court as his lawyer, Tenaiya Dickerson, flagged a bail application. The prosecution alleged Mr Butler had been in a relationship with the woman for about one year when they had an argument on September 22 at 10pm in their Kambalda West home. It was alleged the woman “had enough” and started packing her bags when Mr Butler allegedly threw her suitcase against the wall and tore the contents out on to the floor. It was further alleged he blocked the hallway as she tried to leave and screamed in her face before wrapping two hands around her neck until she fell to the ground. He allegedly continued to stand over her and choke her as she lay on the ground gasping for air. After managing to get up and run to the bathroom, Mr Butler allegedly again blocked her in the doorway and bear-hugged her, telling her “I can’t let you leave”. The prosecutor said the assault lasted 20-30 minutes and only ended when he went out for a cigarette. It was alleged that when interviewed by police, Mr Butler said he bear-hugged the woman but did not strangle her. Prosecuting Sen. Const. Carl Logan opposed the bail application, stating concerns Mr Butler would flee the State, as he had ties to Queensland. Ms Dickerson said Mr Butler moved to WA four years ago and, as well as having a long-term home here, he had two dogs to care for. She said Mr Butler would abide by conditions such as regular reporting and not to leave the State. Magistrate Paul Lyons said imprisonment was “on the cards” for Mr Butler if convicted, but an immediate term was not inevitable, as he did not have “much of a record at all”. He said conditions would alleviate any risk raised by the prosecution and granted Mr Butler bail with a $1000 personal undertaking, reporting conditions, protective bail conditions and a condition he not leave the State. Mr Lyons told Mr Butler he would be in a “very difficult position” if he breached the bail conditions and the law was “very strict” on people who did. “I take a particularly dim view of people who breach them,” he said. 1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732)