AN Afghan national and taxi driver who allegedly brutally stabbed his wife in the neck during an argument at Jesmond on Friday night has been refused bail, with the woman's condition said to be improving after life-saving surgery.
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Aimal Ghouse, 38, appeared in Newcastle Bail Court on Sunday in handcuffs and wearing prison greens after he was arrested outside a unit in William Street on Friday night.
He did not enter a plea to a charge of causing grievous bodily harm with intent to murder (domestic violence) but applied for bail, with his solicitor Monica Wilson telling the court Mr Ghouse would be vulnerable in custody due to a number of factors. Police say Mr Ghouse and his wife were arguing about 6.30pm when Mr Ghouse stabbed her in the neck. The woman fled outside and began knocking on the doors of neighbouring units seeking help.
It was a confronting scene for witnesses and emergency services with the woman bleeding profusely from a wound to her neck.
She was taken to John Hunter Hospital where she underwent emergency surgery and was said to be in a critical condition.
By Sunday, her condition had improved and she was listed as stable.
"She is out of surgery and is conscious and able to provide a statement in regards to the matter," senior police prosecutor Sergeant Rebecca Witherspoon said.
Ms Wilson said Mr Ghouse had never been in custody in Australia or overseas and would be "quite vulnerable and inexperienced" in a custodial setting and that those vulnerabilities were compounded by his background and a lower back injury he had suffered.
She said Mr Ghouse was born in Afghanistan and had arrived in Australia in 2013.
"He worked as a translator with the Australian Army in Afghanistan and due to that work he was effectively offered protection and assistance to immigrate to Australia," Ms Wilson said.
Ms Wilson said she would propose very strict bail conditions to mitigate any concerns the registrar had about Mr Ghouse endangering the alleged victim or the community.
But Sergeant Witherspoon said it was a strong prosecution case against Mr Ghouse, with a number of witnesses providing statements that would support the allegations. She said the risk to the victim and community was "too great" for him to be granted bail. The registrar refused Mr Ghouse bail, saying he had not demonstrated why his detention was not justified, and adjourned the matter until Monday.