A man allegedly followed his partner as she fled for safety in a high-speed chase that ended with the victim colliding with another car and spinning off into a ditch on the Western Highway, a court heard.
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The man - who the Mail-Times has chosen not to name to protect the victim's identity - appeared at Horsham Magistrates' Court charged with reckless conduct endangering life. He did not enter a plea.
The court heard the man picked the victim up from a family function and the pair set off to return to their shared home, a couple of hours away.
"The victim said the accused seemed angry and didn't speak while driving fast," the police informant said.
"The victim asked to leave because she didn't feel safe. The accused said nothing and continued to drive fast and swerved across the road."
Police told the court the victim contacted family members when she returned home, who came to collect her.
It's alleged the man followed them down the Western Highway.
"The victim followed behind on the highway and passed the victim, swerved in front and slammed on the brakes," the informant said.
"The victim performed a U-turn to get away. The accused began following again and shortly after swerved in front again."
It's alleged the man passed and slammed on his brakes another time, forcing the victim into the path of an oncoming car.
"The victim performed an emergency manoeuvre and collided with a witness," the police informant said.
Police said the collision deployed the victim's airbags and sent the car into a ditch on the side of the highway.
Magistrate Simon Zebrowski asked how fast the accused had to be travelling to pass the victim.
"It's only a guess, but talking to Highway Patrol they stated for him to pass he would have had to be going 130 km/h," the informant said.
The victim was released from hospital with minor bruising and in shock.
"She's still very frightened of him. She doesn't want anything to do with him," the informant said.
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It's alleged the man told police he only turned his car around because he saw the victim's car "come up behind" and wanted to ask what had happened and why she left.
The man told the court he had an intellectual disability and a low IQ, was needed by his employer and had family that could look after him if he was released on bail.
"I have no evidence of these things, and in all circumstances, they do not reach the threshold of exceptional circumstances," Mr Zebrowski said.
The man was remanded in custody and will appear in court at a later date.
If you or anyone you know needs help, contact the National Sexual Assault, Domestic and Family Violence Counselling Service on 1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732). In an emergency, call triple zero
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