A man who allegedly “beat the life” out of a female in an unprovoked attack which left her with a fractured cheekbone and blindness in one eye has been granted bail.
The district judge commented that the female had suffered “horrifying” and “life changing” injuries but she believed the 40-year-old could be released with strict conditions.
James Carlisle, of Harbour Road in Kilkeel, appeared before Craigavon Magistrates’ Court on Friday for the purposes of a bail application, via videolink from Maghaberry.
The defendant faces charges of grievous bodily harm, possession of an offensive weapon with intent to commit an indictable offence, threats to kill, possession of a bladed article in a public place, common assault and attempted grievous bodily harm with intent.
Objecting to bail, a constable described this alleged incident as an “unprovoked attack” on the female who had no previous relationship with Carlisle.
The constable outlined that the defendant was alleged to have attended the home of the female on October 28, the day of her five-year-old son’s birthday party.
Carlisle is said to have stated that he wanted to speak with the alleged injured party’s cousin, who was present at the celebration, regarding owed money and made threats, armed with a knife.
He is further alleged to have told the female that if she made a report to police he would “murder her whole family” and “burn her house down”.
Court was told Carlisle did later leave the property, and a few hours later after putting her children to bed the alleged injured party noted that her cousin had left his medication at her home.
The female took this to her cousin’s home in Enniskeen, Craigavon, and whilst she was there, in the words of the constable, Carlisle is alleged to have “beat the life out of her”.
The alleged injured party claimed the defendant produced a “flick baton” which he used to hit her repeatedly in the head and body.
According to the evidence of the constable, the female was left with a fractured cheekbone which required the fitting of a metal plate and that she was left with what is believed to be permanent blindness in one eye.
Police were contacted by the alleged injured party’s partner who took her to Craigavon Area Hospital for treatment.
When observed and photographed by officers, the female had swelling and bruising to her face.
As a result of the injuries, the woman was referred to both the Royal Victoria Hospital eye clinic and the Ulster Hospital for reconstructive surgery.
The constable stated that the alleged injured party reported being approached on three occasions by “associates” of Carlisle demanding that she report to police it was not he who assaulted her.
He further commented that the cousin had attended a police station to claim that he had assaulted the alleged injured party, but he stated that this did not tally with the police investigation.
When arrested, court heard that Carlisle was “covered in blood” and a multi-tool knife was seized at his property.
The constable stated that during interview the defendant gave an explanation for the blood, claiming he had broken up a fight between the alleged injured party and her cousin but he commented that police disputed this.
Defence solicitor Adrian Harvey put it to the constable that an independent witness had identified the person who assaulted the female injured party as her cousin.
However, the constable at court was not the investigating officer in the case and stated that he had not been briefed on this witness.
Mr Harvey outlined that whilst being refused bail on October 29, police had been aware of the independent witness who was in no way connected to any of the parties involved.
He added that an address was available to his client in the Kilkeel area, far from the address of the alleged injured party.
District Judge Bernie Kelly commented that the female had suffered “horrifying” and “life changing” injuries but believed Carlisle could be released with strict conditions.
The defendant was granted his own bail of £500, with a surety of £1,000, to the address in Kilkeel.
Conditions of bail include that he is not to have a mobile or an electronic device with access to the internet, not to contact any witnesses, to sign at Newry Police Station three times a week, he is not to enter Co Armagh and must observe a curfew from 9pm to 6am.
The case was then adjourned until March 11 for an update.
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