Bail refused to man accused of kicking woman who fell off a kerb and broke her nose

A Portadown man who is accused of kicking a woman causing her to fall on a kerb and fracture her nose has been refused bail.

Court heard the 61-year-old has a “very extensive domestic abuse log” some of which relates to the alleged injured party.

Thomas Edward Finn, of Crawford Park, appeared charged with assault occasioning actual bodily harm and breach of a restraining order at Craigavon Magistrates, sitting at Lisburn, on Monday.

As the defendant appeared via videolink from police custody, defence barrister Joel Lindsay informed the court that a bail application would be made.

Outlining the case, a constable stated that on June 13, at 3.40pm, police received a report of a verbal domestic incident at Finn’s home in Portadown.

Officers arrived to find members of the public surround the alleged injured party, who was crying and extremely distressed in the street.

When police inquired what was wrong, the alleged injured party pointed at the defendant, who was standing nearby.

It was noted by officers that the female had an injury to her nose and a cut to her lip; there was blood on her face, hands and clothing also.

The alleged injured party stated that Finn had demanded she leave his property. She claimed he had kicked her inside before lifting her bags and placing them outside.

As she exited the house, the alleged injured party stated that the defendant had kicked her, causing her to fall on to a kerb.

Police observed that there was a substantial amount of blood on the footpath nearby.

When the alleged injured party was taken to Craigavon Area Hospital, it was established she had a fractured nose along with a cut and bruises to her eyes.

Finn was arrested at the scene. During interview he said that the alleged injured party had been staying at his home since June 10.

He stated that on June 13, the pair had begun drinking at 10am, and the defendant admitted to having consumed two or three glasses of wine.

Finn told police that later a verbal argument occurred, during which he had asked the injured party to leave and had put her bags outside the property.

The defendant admitted to pushing her which led to her tripping over her bags and falling on the kerb.

The constable stated that bail was objected to due to fear of further offences and intimidation of witnesses.

He said: “This is a man with an extensive domestic abuse record. There is history with this injured party and he is a high risk domestic abuse perpetrator.”

It was also outlined that the defendant had previously been convicted of attempted intimidation of a witness in relation to the same female.

Mr Lindsay stated: “The offences which were dealt with on January 19 of 2017 relate to this injured party. This was a common assault; the attempted intimidation relates to him shouting at her in the court house about giving evidence.

“The more recent matters relate to another partner. This is a man who has been trying to get his alcohol under control.”

He continued: “This lady had come to stay with him, they took alcohol over two or three nights, he had bought her food and a new phone.

“Then she brought up how he used to be. Mr Finn could see this only going one way and asked her to leave, he accepted pushing her which led her to fall over her bag and hit her head on the kerb.”

Mr Lindsay added: “This is a man with a horrible record which does him no favours, but this is a man who had no trouble until his mid 40s. Before this he held down a good job with the fisheries.

“It is highly unlikely this will come to the court for some time, it may even be taken to the Crown Court, which will leave him in custody for a considerable time.”

He also commented that Finn’s address in Portadown was a substantial distance from the alleged injured party in Gilford, especially as the defendant does no drive.

District Judge Nigel Broderick stated: “This is a first bail application for very serious charges. Mr Finn is entitled to presumption of innocence but I am satisfied that he is connected by the facts as outlined.

“This is a domestic incident, which ended in serious injury, a large amount of blood loss and a fractured nose. He also has a very poor record, some of which related to the same injure party.”

He added: “There is a very extensive domestic abuse log. There is a fear that if released he has a high risk of reoffending or interfering with witnesses.”

Bail was refused and the case was adjourned until July 10 for an update.

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