An Armagh man who is accused of grabbing his partner by the neck has been released on bail subject to an address being approved by police.
The 45-year-old’s solicitor told court that that police had twice tried to obtain a statement from the alleged injured party without success.
Paul Reynolds, of Abbey Street, appeared charged with common assault at Newry Magistrates’ Court on Monday, via videolink from police custody.
During a contested bail application, a constable outlined that on March 27 at 4.10pm, police received a report of concern for a member of the public at an address on Abbey Street in Armagh.
At 4.33pm, officers arrived at the property and activated a body worn camera. They were met at the front door by the alleged injured party, who appeared intoxicated.
She alleged that her partner, the defendant, had become verbally abusive towards her after arriving at the address under the influence at around 3.30pm.
The alleged injured party claimed that Reynolds had then grabbed her by the neck and pushed her against her bed. Police observed no injuries.
Officers located the defendant in the living room of the property and he was subsequently arrested at 4.50pm.
At Lurgan Custody, Reynolds stated that he had not been in any other room in the property and that he had not been intoxicated at the time of his arrest, before making no comment to all other questions put to him.
Outlining objections, the constable stated that police believed there was a risk of further offences, with the defendant having “25 or 26” previous convictions, although none for common assault.
She revealed that there was a “domestic history report” between the two parties dating back to 2018 with eight reported incidents.
Defence solicitor Ruari Gillen contended that Reynolds had in fact denied the allegation during interview and, having been in attendance, stated his client made “no comment” after becoming weary of repetitive questioning.
He added that an officer had been checking two proposed bail addresses over the weekend and if these had been approved the defendant would have been released.
Mr Gillen commented this suggested there was “no objection to bail”.
The solicitor also stated that police had twice tried to obtain a statement from the alleged injured party without success.
Deputy District Judge John Rea granted Reynolds his own bail of £300 to an address approved by police with a condition to have no contact with the alleged injured party.
The case was adjourned until April 20 at Armagh Magistrates’ Court for an update.
