Beau James Punch: Man accused of violent Spencer Park home burglary, armed carjacking attempt is refused bail

An Albany man who allegedly broke into a Spencer Park home, assaulted a resident and attempted a carjacking while armed has been refused bail. Beau James Punch, 44, appeared in Albany Magistrates Court via video link from Albany Regional Prison on December 9 to apply for bail on five charges including aggravated home burglary, unlawful assault that caused bodily harm in circumstances of aggravation, criminal damage or destruction of property, being armed, and damaging property. All five charges related to incidents in Spencer Park on November 24, when Mr Punch allegedly broke into a home and assaulted a resident, then armed himself and tried to force entry into a passing car. Police prosecutor Sgt Warrick Walker told the court Mr Punch was only released from Albany Regional Prison on November 21, three days before the alleged offending took place. He said bail was opposed by the prosecution, as Mr Punch was “unlikely” to comply with any conditions imposed by the court. Sgt Walker said Mr Punch allegedly broke into a house on Wansbrough Street in Spencer Park and punched the resident, who is over 60 years of age, in the face when he tried to confront him. He said Mr Punch then exited the house, armed himself and attempted to force his way into a passing car, but his attempts proved unsuccessful and he was thrown off the moving vehicle a short distance from the house. He said police arrived on scene quickly and arrested Mr Punch not far from the house. Sgt Walker said the car driver had positively identified Mr Punch to police and had been able to keep him within sight until he was arrested. Defence lawyer Georgia Herford conceded Mr Punch’s existing criminal record meant re-offending would be the court’s biggest concern with releasing him on bail. She said both incidents, which allegedly happened about 15 minutes apart, indicated some “erratic” behaviour on Mr Punch’s part, but said a lot of work had been put into developing what she believed would prove an appropriate bail plan. Ms Herford confirmed Mr Punch had only recently been released from prison after completing a four-and-a-half-year sentence. Magistrate Erin O’Donnell noted that the offences occurred “within days” of Mr Punch’s release from prison after serving time for “similarly violent offending”. “In my view, even at this early stage, circumstantially it seems to be a pretty strong case,” she said, referring to submissions made by the prosecution. Mr Punch’s bail was refused and he will next appear in Albany Magistrates Court on January 27.