![\"ACT](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/2024-09-13-ACT-Law-Court-3.jpg\")
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The 41-year-old man faced the ACT Magistrates Court charged with assault and weapons offences. Photo: Michelle Kroll.<\/p>\n
CONTENT WARNING: This article refers to alleged family violence.<\/p>\n
Police allege a terrifying incident took place outside a north Canberra school this week when a man attacked two schoolchildren, including his daughter, before using an axe to threaten others.<\/p>\n
The man allegedly went to the carpark of a Gungahlin school before midday on Tuesday (28 October), where he approached his 17-year-old daughter and her friends before berating her for not being in class, the ACT Magistrates Court heard.<\/p>\n
He allegedly tried to punch one of the friends before slapping his daughter in the face.<\/p>\n
It is alleged he later parked his car in front of one of the friend\u2019s cars and pulled out an axe, causing the friends to flee.<\/p>\n
Afterwards, the man allegedly continued to berate his daughter at home and pulled out a sword before driving her back to her school and saying he would \u201cdeal with the boys\u201d.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe incident was reported to police, and about 2 pm yesterday, the man was arrested,\u201d an ACT Policing spokesperson said.<\/p>\n
The 41-year-old from Bonner has been charged with two counts of assault and one count of possessing an offensive weapon with intent.<\/p>\n
He faced the Magistrates Court on Wednesday (29 October), where prosecutor Daniel Bamber opposed his bail application, saying he was concerned the man would reoffend or endanger his daughter\u2019s safety.<\/p>\n
The court heard the daughter had moved out of the family home since the incident and no longer intended to live there. She no longer felt safe around her father, Mr Bamber said.<\/p>\n
Rachel Bird of Rachel Bird & Co, appearing for the man, said her client ran two businesses, one of which involved landscaping.<\/p>\n
There may be a good reason why he had an axe with him due to the nature of his employment, she said.<\/p>\n
Magistrate James Stewart ultimately said he would grant bail, but had come very close to refusing it due to the allegations.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf these allegations are true, that behaviour is outrageous,\u201d the magistrate told the man.<\/p>\n
\u201cI can\u2019t tell you how close I\u2019ve come to remanding you in custody today, because I think this is extremely serious.\u201d<\/p>\n
He told the man that his other children would be extremely upset by his daughter\u2019s absence, seeing as she had now left the home.<\/p>\n
Magistrate Stewart granted bail on several conditions, including the man not contact or approach his daughter or her friends, or go near her school. He must also arrange for the sword to be handed in to police.<\/p>\n
The matter will return to court in November. No pleas were entered.<\/p>\n
Neither the man nor the school have been named to protect the daughter\u2019s identity.<\/p>\n