A man with a long criminal record and history of domestic violence is facing new charges of assaulting his spouse.
Ronald Walkus, 29, was denied bail on Monday in Campbell River provincial court.
According to Crown prosecutor Tim Morgan, Walkus has amassed 30 convictions since 2002, many for breaching court orders or not attending court. He also has four assault convictions.
The first occurred in 2007 in Campbell River while the other three are for assaulting a female spouse. These include convictions in 2009 in Port Coquitlam, in 2011 in Surrey and again that year in Courtenay.
“He has spent a considerable amount of time in custody for some of these offences,” said Morgan.
Walkus is now charged with assault and uttering threats of his current spouse, and Morgan said the Crown intends to proceed by indictment in B.C. Supreme Court.
He also noted that Campbell River RCMP have been to the couple’s 9th Avenue apartment several times, but Walkus’ partner was never interested in pursuing charges.
That changed when another woman allegedly witnessed Walkus threaten to kill his spouse and she called police. The victim then told officers about another incident on Feb. 22.
She alleges that she was in bed sleeping when Walkus came home, kicked her in the face, dragged her out of the bed and then beat her. She told police she ran to the next door apartment, but Walkus dragged her back into their residence and then wouldn’t let her seek medical treatment.
Walkus has pleaded not guilty to the charges and a preliminary inquiry is scheduled for July 3.