A man who allegedly punched a pregnant woman in the stomach in an attempt to kill her unborn child has had his bail conditions altered to allow him to take up accommodation in County Armagh.
The County Down man, who cannot be named for legal reasons, sought changes to bail conditions imposed on a charge of attempting to intimidate a witness to the alleged assault.
That alleged witness, it is understood, is the partner of the pregnant woman.
The High Court in Belfast heard a plea today (Friday) for a variation of bail conditions by the 27-year-old.
That charge arises from claims that the accused phoned a relative of the witness in a bid to try and get him to retract his statement.
A judge was told today that the police have now prepared a report in relation to a potential charge of attempted child destruction being brought.
A prosecuting barrister alleged in court that the accused had threatened to use a baseball bat to assault the witness.
It has been revealed too that the Public Prosecution Service has been sent a report regarding the alleged incident of attempted child destruction.
She was about six months pregnant and the baby was born at 25 weeks, remaining in hospital for a number of weeks because of breathing and mental problems resulting from the early birth.
A defending barrister had argued that the alleged phone call to the brother of the witness – which led to the intimidation charge – was not linked to the alleged attempted child destruction, but was instead connected to other alleged driving offences.
Mr Justice Maguire agreed to vary bail conditions, which would allow the accused to accept an offer of Housing Executive accommodation in County Armagh.
He has been ordered not to have any contact with the child’s mother and to stay away from the area where she lives.
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