A man accused of inflicting grievous bodily harm on a female has not proceeded with a bail application after a judge offered him the chance to be released to live in Portugal.
The district judge commented: “I will accept a Portuguese address, on the basis that police are happy to escort him to the airport…..given that we are not in a position to push the case forward any time soon.”
Fabio Noe Monteiro, with an address at Jervis Street in Portadown, appeared for the purposes of a bail application at Craigavon Magistrates’ Court on Friday, via videolink from Maghaberry.
The 32-year-old faces a single charge of aggravated burglary and inflicting grievous bodily harm.
None of the facts in the case were heard, but the particulars allege that on September 13 Monteiro entered as a trespasser a dwelling on Portmore Street in Portadown, inflicting grievous bodily harm on a female and having in his possession at the time an offensive weapon, namely a garden ornament.
Objecting to bail, a constable stated that police had fears that the defendant would commit further offences, given the nature of the charge.
However, he did confirm that police were awaiting medical evidence and could not give a time estimate for when this would be available.
District Judge Bernie Kelly commented that this could cause delay and she was minded to grant bail, given that Monteiro had been in custody since September.
Defence solicitor Philip Reid noted this but stated that the only address available to his client was in Jervis Street, which police deemed to be in close in proximity to the alleged injured party.
District Judge Kelly stated: “I will accept a Portuguese address, on the basis that police are happy to escort him to the airport…..given that we are not in a position to push the case forward any time soon.”
Following consultation, Mr Reid asked for the matter to be adjourned and the case was put back until January 21.
