Prosecution Halted: Fabricated Evidence Claims Rock Canberra Court Case

A high-profile prosecution against a Canberra man, who was facing 14 family violence charges, has been abandoned. The charges included serious allegations that the man sent threatening text messages to a former partner. However, all charges were dropped after police acknowledged they could not find evidence that the man sent the messages.

It was revealed in court that evidence instead suggested the complainant sent the anonymous text messages to herself.

Magistrate Slams Police and Prosecutors Over "Egregious" Conduct

Magistrate Jane Campbell delivered a scathing assessment of the handling of the case, describing the conduct of both ACT Policing and the ACT Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) as "egregious."

She noted that correspondence indicated the DPP had been aware of serious issues with the case, including the potential fabrication of evidence, since late January.

Magistrate Campbell emphasized that the prolonged delay in addressing these critical issues caused "significant prejudice" to the defendant. The man had pleaded not guilty to the charges and had already spent two weeks in jail.

Authorities Respond to Criticisms and Review Underway

The DPP's office defended its role in the proceedings, explaining the complexity of the case. A spokesperson highlighted that the matter involved multiple alleged family violence incidents spanning several years, encompassing 14 charges, and extensive material including photographs, audio, and video files.

The DPP stated that the complete police report, which suggested an adverse view of the complainant's evidence, was not received until March 18. Following this, the DPP responded within seven business days.

ACT Policing has confirmed that the report suggesting fabricated evidence was indeed sent to both the defense and the DPP's office. A comprehensive review of the entire situation is currently underway.

Defendant Seeks Apology and Compensation for "Significant Injustice"

Lawyers representing the man at the center of the abandoned prosecution are now calling for an official apology and compensation.

Peter Woodhouse, the man's lawyer, stated unequivocally that his client had been subjected to a "significant injustice" due to the circumstances surrounding the case.