A man accused of raping and repeated beatings of his common-law wife was denied bail on Monday in provincial court.
After hearing details from several police reports, Judge Brian Saunderson called the alleged attacks, “the acts of a savage.”
“Any reasonable member of the public would be appalled if he was released,” the judge stated in denying bail.
Daryl Murray, 40, is charged with sexual assault, four counts of assault, unlawful confinement, uttering threats and mischief. The charges stem from incidents alleged to have occurred in Campbell River and the Victoria region.
Murray also has previous convictions for assaulting the same woman.
According to Crown prosecutor John Boccabella, the woman told police the incidents usually occur following drunken- and drug-fuelled episodes.
When they were living together in Campbell River, police were called to their residence numerous times due to violence. She eventually moved to the Victoria area following an incident on Nov. 13, 2010, when Murray allegedly choked and slapped her, and threatened to kill her if she called police.
Murray is accused of committing further violent acts in Victoria, including an alleged rape on Jan. 11.
Authorities had a warrant for Murray’s arrest, but had difficulty tracking him down. At one point, Murray spoke to a police officer by phone and indicated he would turn himself in once he had received a government cheque, but that never happened.
He was arrested on Jan. 25, after police spotted him exiting a cold beer and wine store in Victoria.
Murray is currently being held at the Vancouver Island Regional Correctional Facility in Victoria. He appeared by video at Monday’s bail hearing and indicated, through his lawyer, that he was willing to put up a $3,000 cash surety and would reside with his grandmother in Victoria.
Defence lawyer Jordan Watt also told the court that the credibility of Murray’s common-law wife would be an issue at trial.
But Judge Saunderson refused to grant Murray bail and ordered him to have no contact with his wife.
