A Newry man who is accused of punching his partner whilst she held her child in her arms has been granted bail.
Outlining objections to the 29-year-old’s release, a constable described the defendant as a “high risk domestic assault perpetrator” and revealed he had previous convictions relating to two further ex-partners.
Kevin McGuigan, of Parkhead Crescent, appeared for the purposes of a bail application at the city’s Magistrates’, via videolink from Maghaberry.
H is charged with breaching a non-molestation order, assault occasioning actual bodily harm, threats to damage property and two counts of cruelty to a person under 16.
Outlining the background, a constable stated that on at 11.30pm on November 11, police received a report from an anonymous caller with regards to hearing a woman screaming at an address on Calmor View, Lislea.
The reporting person named the house number, informing police that a female and two children reside there.
Officers arrived and located the defendant, he was arrested as his presence was in breach of a non-molestation order and court bail.
Police later a statement from the alleged injured party, she claimed that her ex-partner, McGuigan, had forced his way into the property by wedging his foot in the door after she opened it.
The female claimed that the defendant had punched her four or five times in the face, whilst she held her baby in her arms.
McGuigan is alleged to have tried to prevent his ex-partner leaving, however, she managed to escape with her children and get into her car.
Whilst inside the vehicle, she claimed the defendant banged on the window and threatened to break them, she then drove to Daisy Hill hospital, where she spoke to police.
During interview at Banbridge police station, McGuigan claimed that no one else had been at the property and that he had let himself in to get clothing.
He also claimed that he had heard a woman screaming but stated it must have come from another address.
Outlining objections, the constable stated there was a fear of further offences as these were alleged to have been committed whilst the defendant was on court bail.
He described McGuigan as a “high risk domestic assault perpetrator” and that there were concerns for the safety of the alleged injured party and her two children.
The constable also told court that the defendant had been previous convictions in relation to two other ex-partners.
Defence solicitor Gerard Trainor outlined that McGuigan had spent the equivalent of a 10 month sentence on remand and was approaching the possibility of “time served”.
He also stated that pleas were likely to be entered in “most , if not all” of the offences before the court.
Deputy District Judge Anne Marshall said: “I am just about convinced, that given the length of time and that the most significant charges have been withdrawn, to give him a chance”.
McGuigan was granted his own bail of £250, with a cash surety of £250.
Conditions included: no contact with the injured party or witnesses unless via of Social Services, a curfew between 10pm an 6am, not to consume alcohol, to report to police once a week and not to enter Mountain Road, Hall Road or Calmor View (Lislea).
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