Clinton Ryan Chitty: Accused Dongara man returns to pour petrol in home after five-hour standoff with police

A Dongara man served with a violence restraining order for allegedly threatening to burn his house down has been locked up after allegedly returning to the house, kicking down the door and pouring fuel throughout the hallway. Clinton Ryan Chitty, 42, appeared in Geraldton Magistrates Court from Greenough Regional Prison on Monday after being arrested for breaching a family violence restraining order 18 minutes after it was served. Police prosecutor Sen. Const. Thomas Potts said Mr Chitty was served a restraining order after a domestic violence incident on Thursday, August 22, in which he threatened to burn the house down. Sen. Const. Potts said the police tactical response unit attended after Mr Chitty barricaded himself inside a garage. He surrendered to police after a five-hour standoff. The court heard the following day, 18 minutes after he was served the restraining order, Mr Chitty went back to the house, allegedly breaking down the door and pouring fuel throughout the hallway. He left before the protected person returned home with her children, the court was told. In applying for bail, defence lawyer Harriet Templeton-Knight said Mr Chitty could live at his friend’s house in Dongara, where he could continue working in the lobster industry. But Sen. Const. Potts said local police had serious concerns about Mr Chitty living in Dongara as his behaviour was escalating at a concerning rate and the protected person was fearful of him. He told the court Mr Chitty’s friend regularly antagonised police and both men had substance abuse issues. Magistrate Kelly Thompson said she shared “serious concerns” about allowing the accused back to Dongara and adjourned the matter to enable Mr Chitty to seek bail in another town. The matter was adjourned until September 16 and bail was not considered. 1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732)