Chloe Wright, a 30-year-old mother, has been compelled to flee Australia with her three children, including a nine-week-old baby, after her former partner was granted bail despite a brutal attack on her. The distressing incident occurred in November outside her home in Stratton, located in Perth's eastern suburbs.
A Violent Assault While Holding Their Infant
Guy Cramp, Ms Wright's former partner, unleashed horrific violence upon her while holding their young baby. The assault left Ms Wright with a broken nose and a fractured cheekbone, injuries that required medical attention and highlighted the severity of the attack. CCTV footage captured the moment Cramp shoved her to the ground and struck her repeatedly, with heartbreaking photos later showing the bruised aftermath.
A History of Violence and Bail Breaches
The situation is compounded by Cramp's extensive criminal history, which spans 15 years and includes assaults on two other women, taxi drivers, and allegedly two police officers. His record is further marred by multiple bail breaches, ignored family violence restraining orders, and a conviction for tampering with electronic monitoring equipment. Prosecutors revealed that Cramp was already on bail for allegedly attacking police officers when he assaulted Ms Wright, though he pleaded not guilty to those prior charges.
Days before the attack on Ms Wright, Cramp had been released from prison after assaulting a taxi driver over a $20 fare. Despite this, Magistrate Paul Lyons granted him bail on February 19, a decision that has sparked outrage and confusion.
Court's Controversial Bail Decision
Prosecutors argued vehemently against bail, stating that no conditions could ensure Ms Wright's safety. They emphasized Cramp's guilty plea to the assault, the CCTV evidence, and his violent history as reasons to keep him detained until sentencing. However, the court disagreed, granting conditional bail.
Ms Wright expressed her disbelief, asking, 'How is that possible? When someone has pleaded guilty to something as serious as that? I don't understand.' She had falsely believed that the evidence against Cramp would be sufficient to keep him behind bars.
Forced Relocation and Ongoing Fear
Upon learning of Cramp's release via a text message from the WA government's Family Violence Service, Ms Wright feared for her safety and that of her children. She sought urgent help from the Department of Communities' child protection unit to relocate overseas. The department provided emergency accommodation until she could be flown out of Australia to an undisclosed location.
Ms Wright now feels more vulnerable than ever, stating, 'He's been given everything and we're left to pick up the pieces.' She fears Cramp harbors anger towards her due to the court case, adding to her distress.
Bail Conditions and Future Sentencing
As part of his bail conditions, Cramp is banned from Ms Wright's suburb and her children's school. He is required to wear an ankle monitor and report to Joondalup Police Station twice a week. Currently, he is living at his parents' rural property in Bullsbrook.
Magistrate Lyons based the bail decision on Cramp being deemed 'marginally' suitable for a domestic violence offenders program, which cannot be completed behind bars. The court also considered his guilty plea and his expressed desire to change, with Cramp telling the court last month, 'I'm at the point in my life where I can't do this any more. I have a son now ... I want to be a better man so that he can look at me in the future and be proud of me.'
Cramp is set to be sentenced for the assault on Ms Wright on April 16, leaving many to question the effectiveness of bail systems in protecting victims of domestic violence.
