A case in which it is alleged a 27-year-old man strangled his heavily pregnant partner and attempted to destroy the unborn baby has been returned for trial.
Appearing for a committal hearing was Ryan Dobson from Feegarran Road, Cookstown who is charged with strangling and assaulting the woman causing actual bodily harm, and attempting to cause the unborn baby to die.
A detective constable previously told Dungannon Magistrates’ Court that at around 4.30am on July 13, 2025 the woman contacted police stating she was 35 weeks pregnant and had been assaulted by Dobson.
She said a few hours beforehand she had found messages on his phone indicating he had been contacting escorts.
On confronting him he became “irate”, dragging her to the floor by her hair, repeatedly kicking her to the head then the stomach, before grabbing her by the throat leaving her struggling to breathe.
She showed officers images of swelling and bruising to her cheek and eyes and marks to her throat.
There was also blood about the bedroom where the alleged assault occurred. The woman was admitted to hospital for abdominal trauma and treatment for a suspected broken jaw given the extent of swelling to her face.
Dobson was arrested and during interview provided a pre-prepared statement contending, “I am innocent. I was asleep when (partner) hit me. She saw something on my phone. I certainly didn’t hit her. I certainly didn’t try to harm my unborn baby. I do not want to make a statement against her. She is a good person.”
Thereafter he answered “no comment” to all questions.
Bail was refused at the time but a further application was mounted after the baby was born as Dobson “was anxious to build a relationship with his child.”
Objecting again the detective confirmed there are no previous domestic abuse reports about Dobson, but concerns remain around the woman sustaining a serious blow to the stomach in the advanced stages of pregnancy, resulting in her being admitted to hospital.
She added Dobson could give no explanation for the injuries apart from saying that he did not cause them.
But throwing out the application District Judge Francis Rafferty remarked: “I’m not satisfied this man could be managed on bail.”
Dobson was later released by the High Court and during the most recent hearing spoke only to confirm his identity and that he understood the charges against him.
He declined to call witnesses or give evidence on his own behalf at this stage.
Judge Rafferty remanded him on £500 bail to appear for arraignment at Dungannon Crown Court on May 19.
In addition Dobson was ordered to have no contact with the injured party, reside at an address known to police at all times, abide by a curfew from 10 to 6am, refrain from all non-prescribed drugs and report weekly to police.
And any phone in his possession must be available for inspection by police and browsing history must not be deleted.
