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Ace Jackson: Boyfriend with past Rebels links accused of violent attacks on single mum in Mandurah, Halls Head

Headshot of Sarah Steger
Sarah StegerThe West Australian
Ace Jackson arriving at court on Tuesday morning.
Camera IconAce Jackson arriving at court on Tuesday morning. Credit: The West Australian/The West Australian

WARNING: GRAPHIC CONTENT

A single mother has told of the horrifying abuse she allegedly suffered at the hands of her ex-boyfriend, describing how she was allegedly threatened with a jet lighter, choked and suffocated — as well as strung up by the neck with a towel during their tumultuous six-month relationship.

The 35-year-old opened up about the alleged abuse as she gave evidence in WA’s District Court on Monday, where her now-ex partner Ace Henry Jackson is standing trial.

Mr Jackson is accused of eight violent crimes including deprivation of liberty, endangering life and assault occasioning bodily harm — all alleged to have occurred in 2020 in Mandurah and Halls Head — which he denies.

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His lawyer Mario Strbac did not address the jury on day one of the trial, who instead heard only from State Prosecutor Tiffany McArthur and the complainant.

During her opening address, Ms McArthur alleged that the mother-of-one had been so “fearful for her life” at certain times during her relationship with Mr Jackson in the first half of 2020 that she and her friend had devised a plan in which she would text a blue heart emoji to her friend if she ever required someone to contact police for her.

Ace Jackson arriving at court on Tuesday morning.
Camera IconAce Jackson arriving at court on Tuesday morning. Credit: The West Australian/The West Australian

“She felt she couldn’t ring police (herself) because Mr Jackson had made threats about that,” Ms McArthur told the court.

On one of the four occasions when the single dad is accused of harming his then-girlfriend, Mr Jackson allegedly lashed out because his then-partner had stood on a creaky floorboard.

The resulting noise allegedly prompted Mr Jackson to threaten the woman, saying words along the lines of: “I’ll f. . .ing kill you if you wake my f. . .ing son up”.

In an emotional testimony on Monday afternoon, the mum said her relationship with Mr Jackson — who has past links to the Rebels — had started off like a fairytale, in which the dad did everything for her, supported her, and was her “prince charming”.

But weeks in, she says things changed.

In the moments after she stood on the loud floorboard, she alleges Mr Jackson dragged her by the hair up a small flight of stairs and then choked her as she struggled face down on her bed.

“I tried to get out of the unit, I wanted to leave,” the woman said of her subsequent attempts to flee. “Every time I got close to the door . . . he’d manhandle me back from the door . . . grab me by my shoulders or put his hand around my throat and drag me back.”

That same day, in January 2020, it is alleged Mr Jackson kneeled on her chest and wrapped a towel around her throat and then lifted part of her body up by her neck “like he was hanging me”.

“I was so scared and pulling at the towel to try and get some air in. I thought I was going to die,” she said.

She claims Mr Jackson also bit her nose and ear, hard.

Months later on April 29, after a day of arguing, Mr Jackson allegedly told the woman she had no idea “how close I am to ending this all” before grabbing her around the throat and telling her: “You’re going to f. . .ing die tonight”.

Close to blacking out, she started making gargling noises, allegedly prompting Mr Jackson to stop so she could breathe.

When she asked if the violence would ever end, Mr Jackson allegedly told her the only way she would be allowed to leave the relationship was “in a body bag”.

Police attended the woman’s Mandurah unit that night after she managed to get a message to her friend containing a blue heart emoji — their secret signal.

It was the first time any photos were taken of her alleged injuries, with the mother having failed to make any prior complaints to the police.

Ace Jackson arriving at court on Tuesday morning.
Camera IconAce Jackson arriving at court on Tuesday morning. Credit: The West Australian/The West Australian

Less than a month later on May 22, the couple were staying at an AirBnb in Halls Head when the woman drew attention to the bruises that allegedly covered her body.

“I don’t know who you think you are but I’m covered in bruises and my body is sore,” she said while grabbing his throat.

She alleged that Mr Jackson responded by throwing her on to the bed and stuffing a towel into her mouth and then pinching her nose so she couldn’t breathe.

Close to blacking out, she started making gargling noises, allegedly prompting Mr Jackson to stop so she could breathe.

But he then allegedly wrapped his hands around her throat and squeezed until she lost consciousness.

Later, when she tried to go to the chemist to get pain medication, Mr Jackson allegedly punched her in the side of the head and she passed out again.

The trial continues.

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