Jake Bruce Tamaroa Tibbits: Albany man accused of domestic violence on ex-partner granted bail

A man accused of hospitalising his ex-partner is back on the streets, to the dismay of a woman who screamed the Magistrate granting him bail deserved to “rot”. Jake Bruce Tamaroa Tibbits, 32, appeared on nine domestic violence-related charges via video link from Albany Regional Prison in Albany Magistrates Court on Thursday. Mr Tibbits’ defence lawyer Sonya Anderson made a bail application that was opposed by police prosecutor Sgt Warrick Walker who said an officer had signed an affidavit stating he had concerns for the safety of the victim if Mr Tibbits were bailed. Ms Anderson argued that Mr Tibbits was no longer in a relationship with the victim and agreed to be bound by a violence restraining order. She said her client acknowledged he had an issue with alcohol and that the pair were both “heavily intoxicated” in the lead-up to the alleged offences after losing their jobs that same day. Mr Tibbits is accused of slamming his ex-partner’s head into a kitchen bench three to four times on April 8, and holding his hand over her nose and mouth for one minute, impeding her breathing. He also allegedly punched her in the face, dragged her by the hair down a hallway and throttled her until she lost consciousness. Mr Tibbits’ victim was hospitalised as a result of the alleged offending. Mr Tibbits has yet to enter a plea to the nine charges. Magistrate Richard Huston granted bail for Mr Tibbits but imposed strict conditions including no contact with the victim, reporting three times a week, and a $1000 undertaking. Mr Tibbits was also restricted from leaving WA. As Mr Tibbits was granted bail, a woman in the gallery screamed, “He nearly killed her, you deserve to rot”, before she was escorted out of the courtroom. If you or someone you know is experiencing family violence, phone 1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732) or the Crisis Care Helpline on 1800 199 008.