A South Nowra man found at an Illawarra home in contravention of an apprehended violence order was busted after his GPS-monitored ankle bracelet lead police straight to the location, a court has heard.
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Repeat offender Aaron Robert Adam Stewart, 32, had been ordered to stay out of the Albion Park Rail area following his release on parole in early July after spending time behind bars for assaulting his younger brother Jarrad.
As part of his parole conditions, Stewart was issued with an electronic monitoring device – colloquially known as an ankle bracelet or monitor – which he was required to wear around-the-clock for three months.
He was also prohibited from seeing or contacting his brother.
However, documents tendered to Wollongong Local Court on Wednesday said police received an urgent call from the state’s parole monitoring hotline unit just after 12.30 on Tuesday afternoon alerting them to Stewart’s presence in the Albion Park Rail area.
The device’s GPS coordinates placed Stewart at a house on Ash Avenue – the address of his brother.
Officers attended the home a short time later. Jarrad Stewart met them at the door and invited them inside, confirming his brother was at the location and that he had allowed him inside the house to have a shower and get some clothes so he could attend court later that afternoon.
“He’s on his way to court, he’s got his clothes here, he’s just having a shower,” Jarrad told police.
The officers discovered Stewart mid-shower. He was allowed to finish bathing and get dressed before police placed him under arrest.
Stewart was charged with contravening an AVO and refused bail to appear in court on Wednesday.
Duty defence lawyer Sian Aldis, representing Legal Aid, applied for bail on Stewart’s behalf, telling the court he would agree to abide by any conditions if released.
“He found himself at the house by way of invitation from his brother,” she said.
“The allegations are at the lowest end of seriousness and may not result in a full-time custodial sentence if proven.”
However, police opposed Stewart’s release, saying they were concerned he would commit further offences if released.
It was also confirmed in court that the NSW Parole Authority had already scheduled a hearing for next week to determine whether it would revoke Stewart’s parole.
In refusing Stewart bail, Registrar Daniel Watson said he wasn’t satisfied any conditions could be imposed that would mitigate the risk Stewart posed if released.
The case will return to court next Monday.
