A man accused of a serious sexual assault on a 12-day-old child is currently being treated as a ‘Special Person at Risk’ according to reports.
The 25-year-old suspect appeared before Armagh Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday sexual assault and grievous bodily harm.
The infant is currently in intensive care at the Royal Belfast Hospital for Sick Children.
The alleged incident took place on Saturday, September 29.
The defendant made a brief appearance in the dock in order to hear the charges read out to him.
A detective sergeant, also present before the court, believes he was able to connect the 25-year-old with the charges. No bail application was made by the defendant’s counsel at that stage.
Following his appearance in Armagh on Tuesday, the suspect was remanded into custody at Maghaberry Prison where he is being treated as a ‘Special Person At Risk’.
“Feelings are extremely high, both inside and outside the prison,” a source told the Sun newspaper
“I would be pretty sure that if any other prisoners got near him they would lynch him, such is the outrage being expressed by inmates on the landings.”
He is due to appear before Newry Magistrates’ Court next Wednesday morning, October 10, via videolink.
