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Man admits four counts of rape in Portadown area during the 1990’s

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A man has admitted to four counts of rape which occurred more than 20 years ago in the Portadown area, a court has heard.

It was heard that when initially interviewed last week, the 55-year-old had denied the offences but his solicitor said the defendant then phoned police and asked to be re-interviewed about the allegations.

Martin Joseph Creaney, with an address of Bank Street in Belfast, appeared charged with four counts of rape and one count of perverting the course of justice at Lisburn Magistrates’ on Thursday.

As the charges were read, it was heard that the alleged rape offences occurred between January 1, of 1990, and December 31, of 1999, with them relating to a single female injured party.

The defendant is also accused of perverting the course of justice on January 7, of this year.

Appearing before the court via videolink from police custody, Creaney confirmed that he understood the charges and was connected to these by a constable.

Defence solicitor Richard Montieth made it known that a bail application was not to be made but commented “this is the most suitable case on earth” to be progressed as quickly as possible.

The solicitor told court that during an initial police interview last week the defendant had denied the offences but he had since contacted police and had asked to be re-interviewed.

He outlined: “You have her statement and his confession so if the directing officer can’t get that by the next remand and have a PE, there’s something wrong.”

He added that Creaney “wants the case progressed as soon as possible”.

District Judge Rosie Watters then remanded Creaney into custody to appear before Craigavon Magistrates’ court on February 5 for an update.

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