Simon Michael Kittow: Man accused of wielding machete while disguised in balaclava has bail refused

A Mt Barker man accused of breaching a restraining order to look for his ex-partner while clad in a balaclava and wielding a machete will stay in prison on remand after the magistrate denied him bail. Simon Michael Kittow, 33, appeared in Albany Magistrates Court via video link from Albany Regional Prison on Thursday on 11 charges, including possessing a disguise, being armed, assault, and drug possession. Police prosecutor Sgt Matt Hartfield told the court in the early hours of August 30 Mr Kittow — wearing a balaclava and armed with a machete — banged on the door of a motel unit in Mt Barker, looking for his ex-partner, who had a family violence restraining order against him. Mr Kittow was arrested later that day at his ex-partner’s home after police searched the house and found him hiding under blankets in the bedroom. Representing Mr Kittow, Aboriginal Legal Service lawyer Raymond Muir applied for bail, proposing strict conditions, which Sgt Hartfield opposed. Sgt Hartfield said Mr Kittow — who was on bail for other serious offences at the time of his arrest — was a “law unto himself” and Mt Barker police were concerned about public safety given his “escalating behaviour”. Magistrate Erin O’Donnell refused Mr Kittow’s bail, saying she had “considerable concern” about the risk to the public’s safety and to his ex-partner. “There seems to have been a concerted effort on behalf of Mr Kittow to find the protected person,” she said. Mr Kittow will remain in prison on remand until his next appearance at Albany Magistrates Court on October 3. If you or someone you know is experiencing family violence, phone 1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732) or the Crisis Care Helpline on 1800 199 008.