Muslim Cuts Out Australian Girlfriend's Tongue (II)

An update on this story from Gold Coast News:

A SOUTH Australian man charged with cutting off his ex-girlfriend's tongue has been adamantly refused bail by a Gold Coast magistrate today.

"In anyone's terms these allegations are horrifying and brutal," said Magistrate Catherine Pirie.

"I've been on the bench for more than 10 years and I don't think I've seen anything like this."

Mohammed Tasleem Tahir, 21, stands charged with torture, grievous bodily harm and acts intended to maim after police found him covered in blood at his ex-girlfriend's Surfers Paradise apartment on November 13.

They found 20-year-old Catherine Cameron lying on her bed with a fractured eye socket, her tongue cut off and deep cuts to both sides of her mouth.

A bloodied knife and empty rum bottle lay on the floor nearby.

Yesterday he appeared in the Southport Magistrates Court via videolink from Arthur Gorrie Correctional Centre to apply for bail.

Police prosecutor Sergeant Brian Cazzulino said an emergency ward doctor had described the young woman's horrific injuries as `the worst she had seen in five years'.

Police alleged Mr Tahir, of Fijian descent, had a volatile relationship with Ms Cameron in South Australia where he had been accused of stalking her, threatening her family and throwing beer bottles at her while she sat in her car.

Sgt Cazzulino said Ms Cameron fled to the Gold Coast, legally changed her name and switched phone numbers three times to hide from Mr Tahir but he continued to track her down in a bid to restore their relationship.

The court was told Ms Cameron came home to find Mr Tahir in her living room and endured a brutal assault which only ended when she went limp and pretended to be unconscious.

She told police Mr Tahir left the room and she recalled hearing him on the phone telling someone that 'he had just killed someone' and asking them to look after his family.

Sgt Cazzulino said while Mr Tahir had been in custody he had not shown remorse.

"He refuses to believe he has committed an offence," he said.

Barrister Bernard Battley sought bail for Mr Tahir on the grounds he was the full-time carer of his elderly father who suffered from chronic pain.

Mr Battley said he client would consent to reporting to police each day if granted bail.

But Sgt Cazzulino strongly objected as Mr Tahir was known to have family in Fiji and police feared he would leave the country on bail and not return.

Ms Pirie said Mr Tahir had not shown cause and granting bail would be inappropriate.

He was remanded in custody and will return to court on December 23.

Can any Australian readers confirm if this case has been covered by the national media yet?