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A Canberra man allegedly choked his pregnant partner, slammed her against a wall and tried to throw her down the stairs of an inner city nightclub in the early hours of Sunday. The incident allegedly took place after security staff were alerted to an argument between the couple in the women's toilets at MonkeyBar on Civic's Bunda Street about 1.50am. Court documents said the woman had shouted and tried to get away as the man allegedly grabbed her, locked his arms around her waist and headed for the back door of the club. Police say she had been unable to break free from his grip and had been "visibly distressed". The defendant allegedly used his partner's body to push the door open before his friend shut it to prevent security staff entering the stairwell. Court documents said the man tried to throw his partner, who was seven weeks pregnant with their second child, down the stairs. She had dropped to her knees to escape his grip, but he allegedly grabbed the side of her head and violently shook it back and forth. The man allegedly grabbed her throat with one hand and squeezed her neck as he continued to shake her. Police say she was short of breath but tried to scream for help. It was then her partner flung her against the wall and onto the ground as she continued to cry for help, according to court documents. She tried to escape but the defendant allegedly overpowered her, taking hold of her arm and dragging her down the stairs. The woman managed to break free once they reached the bottom of the stairwell, but the accused allegedly shoved her, causing her to stumble backwards and smack her head against the wall. He allegedly dragged her outside before the man's friend tried to push him away. Police say they arrived to find the accused lunging towards the pair with his fist raised. The man was arrested for being drunk in public and he was later charged with assault and choking. He did not enter pleas in the ACT Magistrates Court on Monday. Prosecutors held concerns the man would reoffend or endanger the safety of the complainant if released on bail, but said the woman had told police she was leaving the ACT and did not believe the man would follow her. Magistrate Glenn Theakston granted bail with strict conditions the defendant not go within 100 metres of the woman or her home, not harass, threaten or intimidate her and avoid alcohol and drugs. He was released on bail. The matter will be mentioned in the family violence list later this month.

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