Melbourne IT specialist accused of bashing ex-girlfriend and threatening to kill her during alleged cocaine binge is allowed back to work

A Melbourne IT specialist has been released from custody after being accused of threatening to kill his ex-girlfriend who he allegedly assaulted multiple times. 

Kristijan Naumovski, 34, appeared at an online hearing at the Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday charged with six offences, including unlawful assault and making a threat to kill.

Naumovski, who successfully applied for bail, allegedly beat his former partner multiple times while on a suspected alcohol and cocaine binge.

The court heard Naumovski’s ex told him she was going to drive him back to his parents’ house because he was ‘intoxicated’.

But instead, it is claimed the night took a nasty turn when Naumovski allegedly assaulted the woman at Southbank on August 22 this year.

Naumovski allegedly punched and kicked the woman multiple times before was allegedly caught in Prahran with cocaine. 

Naumovski, who has a son with another woman, is ‘gainfully employed’ and worked in the IT industry for 10 years, the court was told.

He would also be able to return to work full-time as soon as he is he released on bail.

‘I can completely understand why police remanded this accused on the night,’ Magistrate Samantha Seoud said.

‘The [alleged] offending that I heard about was extremely concerning and very serious and if he is found guilty or pleads guilty, he’s looking at a significant kind of sentence.’

The court heard that Naumovski had been detained in the police station cells since he was arrested on August 22 and this was his first time in custody.

Naumovski, who has no criminal priors, was ordered to undertake a men’s behavioural change program.

Magistrate Seoud also banned Naumovski, who was additionally charged with cocaine possession, from consuming alcohol and drugs of dependence. 

‘[In] the remand summary that I heard about, there was reference to alcohol on the night and there’s some reference to some cocaine found on the accused,’ she said.

Magistrate Seoud highlighted Naumovski’s lack of previous dealings with the criminal justice system when she decided not to set the bail applicant a curfew.

‘This isn’t the type of offender that’s roaming the streets at night, committing offences,’ she said.

However, Naumovski was forbidden to follow or put the complainant ‘under surveillance’. 

Magistrate Seoud also said Naumovski’s mother was receiving treatment for lung cancer and her health ‘weighs heavily on the applicant while he’s been on remand’.

Naumovski, who appeared via video link from Frankston police station, was granted bail to live with his parents at Hoppers Crossing, in Melbourne’s west.

He will next face court on October 6.