Son of WA's top cop denied bail

The son of Western Australia's police commissioner has been refused bail after he breached his previous bail conditions and a violence restraining order.

Russell O'Callaghan

The son of WA's police commissioner has been refused bail after breaching previous bail conditions. (AAP)

The West Australian police commissioner's son, who is facing a string of violent offences, has failed in his bid to be released again on bail.

Russell O'Callaghan, 34, appeared in Perth Magistrates Court on Tuesday via video link from Casuarina prison, where he has been since he breached protective bail conditions and a violence restraining order in October.

The court heard O'Callaghan messaged his alleged victim on Facebook over a few days, encouraging her to change her statement about the assault, in a bid to get the charges against him downgraded or dropped.

O'Callaghan's lawyer said he was willing to remain in custody until Christmas Eve morning so he could go directly to a drug rehabilitation centre where he would not have access to a phone, social media, or visits from family and friends.

But the prosecutor argued that O'Callaghan had the chance to go to rehab before he contacted the alleged victim and there were no conditions that could be imposed to reduce the risk to an acceptable level.

The magistrate agreed, noting that O'Callaghan had engaged in a "tirade of most inappropriate language" on Facebook and was a potential risk to the alleged victim's safety.

"He's something of a loose canon," the magistrate said.

O'Callaghan has previously indicated he will plead not guilty to seven charges, including threats to kill, deprivation of liberty and aggravated indecent assault.

Police Commissioner Karl O'Callaghan has refused to comment on the case while it is before the courts.

O'Callaghan will appear in court again in January for a committal mention.


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