Keep up with Armagh i

Man accused of smashing wine bottle across partner’s head awaits bail decision

Court heard officers arrived to find blood on the front door and porch and, unable to gain access, police went to the rear of the property and observed a female in her underwear with a head injury

A Portadown man who is accused of smashing a wine bottle across the head of his partner must wait until next month to hear if he is to be released on bail.

The deputy district judge stated that he was “not convinced” that the 26-year-old should be released on bail.

But he adjourned any decision until the date of a proposed preliminary enquiry (PE), the legal process during which a case is referred to the higher court, next month.

Scott Mayne, of Churchill Park, appeared at Craigavon Magistrates’ Court for the purposes of a bail application by videolink from Maghaberry.

The defendant is charged with aggravated burglary with intent to cause GBH, grievous bodily harm with intent, criminal damage, two counts of possession of Class C drugs, two counts of possession of an offensive weapon, threats to kill and assault occasioning actual bodily harm.

Outlining the background to the case, a constable stated that on September 18, at around 9pm, police were called to an address on Castle Lane Mews in Lurgan after reports that Mayne had allegedly been seen kicking at a door and a female covered in blood had been spotted outside in her underwear.

Court heard officers arrived to find blood on the front door and porch and, unable to gain access, police went to the rear of the property and observed a female in her underwear with a head injury.

The alleged injured party claimed that the defendant, her partner, had hit her over the head multiple times with a wine bottle.

Police noted blood in the kitchen, living room, bathroom and bedroom at the address.

Mayne was allegedly located in bushes at the property, wearing blood stained clothing with pregabalin being found on his person at the time of his arrest.

The following day, a further alleged victim attended Lurgan police station claiming that he too had been assault by the defendant.

He stated that he had been with the alleged injured party the evening before. After hearing noises he had gone to investigate and alleged he had been greeted by Mayne holding a knife.

The male claimed to have struggled to get the knife off the defendant, however, he went downstairs and returned with another.

The alleged injured party stated that he locked himself in an upstairs bathroom and escaped out the window.

According to the constable, this male suffered injuries to his ribs and knees along with a cut to his hand.

Defence solicitor Ruairi Gillen stated his client instructed that there had been an altercation between the two males and his client claimed to have acted in self-defence.

He commented that “at its height” this was a an actual bodily harm assault, adding that Mayne had already spent six months in custody.

Deputy District Judge Gregg McCourt stated that he was “not convinced” that Mayne should be released on bail but noted possible delays in the case.

He adjourned the bail application until April 22, when the case was listed for preliminary enquiry (PE), the legal process during which a case is referred to the higher court.

Sign Up To Our Newsletter

Most read today

NEWRY – SHOP LOCAL

More in Portadown