An Armagh man accused of seriously assaulting and falsely imprisoning his long-term partner has been granted bail.
Robert Martin McConville of Callanbridge Park, appeared at Newry Magistrates’ Court, from a police custody suite, charged with assault occasioning actual bodily harm, false imprisonment, non-fatal strangulation and possession of an offensive weapon.
The 69-year-old is alleged to have carried out the offences, along with a co-accused, on November 8.
On that date police received a call to an address in Armagh – the home address of the alleged injured party.
The prosecutor told the court that the complainant was “clearly frightened and visibly upset”.
Police at the scene observed a number of injuries to her face and body.
She attended the minor injuries department at Dungannon’s South Tyrone Hospital with bruising to her eye socket, a split nose, bruising and swelling to her head and forehead.
Extensive bruising over her arms and neck was also noted.
An initial account was captured by police using body worn camera footage, and she has subsequently made a written statement.
Initially, the court heard, the complainant was “hesitant about making full disclosure to police”, but “eventually she gave them a full description of what had happened at the address both by Mr McConville and the co-accused”.
The court also heard that police made efforts to arrest both of the defendants.
The prosecutor continued: “It’s my respectful submission that both made active attempts to evade police. They were to surrender to custody through their solicitors on November 27. They didn’t attend on November 27, or as rearranged again on November 30, and Mr McConville was arrested on Tuesday and overnight charged to court.
“I know, your worship, has a copy of his record; it is very significant, but I have to concede that there have been no entries on his record since 2010.”
The prosecutor alluded to concerns around failing to surrender if he was granted bail and “in view of the nature and background of the circumstances, there is a significant potential for interference with witnesses”.
She did concede that the co-accused had, the previous week, been granted bail.
A police officer, who said he could connect McConville to the charges, also raised concerns around the proximity of his address and that of the alleged injured party.
Defence barrister, Patrick Taggart said his client has “not been with the courts in many, many years”.
“In fact, the last offence I can find of a violent nature was 22 years ago. It is true that they’ve been in a relationship for 17 years but he doesn’t live with his partner, she lives separately.”
He added: “I do take on board what the police say about the element of evasion; he lost his phone and the investigating officer is absolutely right, [his solicitor] had driven to Armagh – he had been a long-standing client in respect of other legal investigations and hearings – he had driven specifically to bring him to police.
“He couldn’t get him because his phone was lost but I appreciate the police point in respect of that.”
District Judge Eamon King alluded to the seriousness of the charges but “on balance” he felt the risks could be managed.
McConville was released on his own bail of £350 to reappear before Armagh Magistrates’ Court on January 7.
