A Melbourne IT specialist has been released on bail after being charged with assaulting his ex-girlfriend and threatening to kill her, in a case a magistrate described as "extremely concerning and very serious". Kristijan Naumovski, 34, faced Melbourne Magistrates' Court via video link on Wednesday accused of punching and kicking his former partner multiple times during an alleged alcohol and cocaine binge, before allegedly being found with cocaine in his possession shortly afterwards.

Naumovski faces six charges, including unlawful assault, threatening to kill and cocaine possession, relating to an incident at Southbank on 22 August. The court heard he has worked in IT for a decade, has no prior criminal record, and will be able to return to work full-time now he has been granted bail. Magistrate Samantha Seoud ordered him to complete a men's behavioural change program, banned him from alcohol and drugs, and prohibited him from following or surveilling the complainant, while allowing him to live with his parents in Hoppers Crossing without a curfew, partly due to his mother's ongoing treatment for lung cancer.