A man accused of raping his 12-day-old son is to be questioned by police on other matters, a court has heard.
The 25-year-old, who cannot be identified for legal reasons, appeared before Newry Magistrates’ Court this morning (Wednesday), charged with sexually assaulting the infant on September 29 last year.
He is also charged with inflicting grievous bodily harm on the baby with intent.
Previous courts have heard how the child was found with broken ribs and thigh bones and was taken to hospital with unexplained injuries including a brain haemorrhage, a number of broken bones, traumatic bruising and bleeding.
It was also previously claimed by detectives that they discovered extreme pornographic material and indecent images of children on a phone linked to the accused.
The defendant denies the charges against him, claiming he may have unintentionally hit the child’s head on a wall while “tired and frustrated”.
During today’s brief sitting, Detective Sergeant Davis told the packed courtroom that police were applying under Article 47, which means the defendant will be released into their custody in Banbridge for 24 hours to be questioned “in relation to other separate offences than which he is presently in custody”.
The defendant’s solicitor confirmed the application was being consented to before District Judge Eamon King granted police 24 hours for further questioning.
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