A Queensland police officer held his service pistol against his own head in order to manipulate women who came forward to police to report his alleged abuse.
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John Paul Daniel McDonnell, 36, is on bail despite the safety concerns of multiple victims and facing 16 charges including misconduct in public office, common assault, computer hacking and misuse, distribute prohibited recording, unlawful stalking, dangerous conduct with a weapon, enter dwelling and commit, deprivation of liberty and sexual assault.
The Brisbane Magistrates Court this week heard the victims – including his former partner – are deeply concerned for their safety.
Magistrate Julian Noud said McDonnell “committed acts of serious violence towards his former partner where he is alleged to have climbed on top of her, pinned her down, and restrained her movements.
“The conduct also extended to persistent behaviour whereby the defendant repeatedly sent text messages, phone calls, and other contact even after the relationship had ended,” the magistrate said.
McDonnell repeatedly went to places where his former partner lived, worked and visited, it’s alleged.
He is also alleged to have made false Crime Stoppers reports ‘in circumstances where such reports were likely to result in police officers applying for search warrants’.
McDonnell allegedly ‘engaged in repeated criminal conduct in breach of his obligations as a police officer including unlawfully recording court proceedings’.
The court heard he allegedly used threats of suicide to control and manipulate the women, including holding his police gun to his own head.
The magistrate granted bail with conditions including no contact with the victims, restricted use of social media and that McDonnell surrender his passport and wear an ankle monitor.