AN offender kicked out of an Aboriginal residential care program after allegedly selling drugs in the centre was yesterday remanded in custody after a dramatic police manhunt in west Warrnambool.
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Michael Proctor, 23, previously of Denny Street, was arrested yesterday morning and charged with breaching an intervention order (IVO) by causing harm or fear, breaching an IVO by assault and recklessly causing injury.
Senior Constable Luke Hunter, of the south-west police family violence unit, told Warrnambool Magistrates Court during a bail application yesterday afternoon that Mr Proctor and a woman had been in an on-off relationship for two years.
He said the court put in place an intervention order on September 1 to protect the woman.
Police allege that in the early hours of Tuesday, Mr Proctor and the woman were at his sister’s home when Mr Proctor complained the woman was not being affectionate enough.
Mr Proctor then slapped her, pushed her to the face onto the ground and kicked her to the body. She left, went to a service station and contacted emergency services.
Senior Constable Hunter said police attempted to find Mr Proctor for three days, going to the homes of family members, friends and associates.
Police received information yesterday about a man fitting Mr Proctor’s description.
Uniform police and detectives swooped on the Laverock Road area and arrested Mr Proctor after a frantic foot chase through properties.
Senior Constable Hunter said Mr Proctor had been given leave to attend a Warrnambool funeral from the Gippsland residential care facility, but failed to catch a train back.
Mr Proctor had then been told he was no longer welcome at the facility. He had returned positive drug tests and there were allegations he had dealt drugs at the facility.
The police officer said the victim told officers Mr Proctor regularly used ice.
Senior Constable Hunter said the victim was very frightened that if Mr Proctor was released on bail he would attempt to harm her.
Magistrate John Lesser remanded Mr Proctor in custody until Monday to give the accused time to call more evidence to support a bail application.