Brian Murray Wood: Narrogin man accused of threats to kill and pointing knife at ex partner pleads not guilty

A Narrogin man who allegedly threatened to kill his ex-partner, pointed a knife to her throat and in possession of a host of drugs has been granted bail after entering pleas on the majority of his charges. Brian Murray Wood, 44, appeared in Narrogin Magistrates Court on Tuesday via video link from Albany Regional Prison. Mr Wood pleaded not guilty to making a threat to do an act, making threats to kill, unlawful assault, common assault, being armed in a way that may cause fear, breach of police order, drug possession and drug paraphernalia possession. Pleas were not entered for two counts of drug paraphernalia and one count of drug possession which were adjourned for legal advice. The alleged incidents occurred in Narrogin between April 16 and April 18 this year. Prosecutor Sgt Natalie Parkyn told the court Mr Wood allegedly picked up an edged weapon and mimed a stabbing motion towards his partner and said, “I’ll f****** stab you with this” during a verbal argument at the complainant’s home on April 16. Sgt Parkyn said the weapon cut the victim’s finger causing it to bleed before Mr Wood dragged her by the hair. The prosecution said two days later, Mr Wood threatened to kill the victim again, he said “I’ll f****** kill you, I’ll put you in a hole and cave your head in”. Sgt Parkyn then told the court the accused pointed a big knife to the victim’s throat, continuing with death threats and said, “then you won’t be able to call the police”. According to Sgt Parkyn, Mr Wood then picked up a lampshade and said, “I’m going to f****** kill you, I know people in town I can get to hurt you.”. The court was told by the prosecution the alleged offending breached a 72-hour police order that prohibited Mr Wood from contacting the complainant. That same day police discovered methamphetamine, tramadol, codeine, olanzapine, naproxen, temazepam, mirtazapine and quetiapine and drug paraphernalia with traces of meth. When Magistrate Erin O’Donnell read Mr Wood the assault and threat charges, he said “not guilty — not at all” to the accusations. Defence lawyer Shonda Paton said her client, who has been held in custody for nearly two months, should be released on bail so he can attend a linked therapeutic day centre to improve his physical and mental health. Ms Paton said Mr Wood can live with his sister in Hamilton Hill, 186km from the protective person. Ms O’Donnell granted Mr Wood bail with a $1000 personal undertaking and conditions that he does not come within 100km of Narrogin unless attending court and within 50m of the complainant, her residence, workplace and provide random mandatory urine drug tests. Mr Wood will next appear in Narrogin Magistrates Court on October 28 for a trial allocation.