A Tassagh man who is accused of punching his partner multiple times and pulling out a clump of her hair has been released on bail.
Objecting to the application, prosecution submitted that the 34-year-old had a “significant record” with 79 previous convictions but accepted there had been a “lacuna” in offending since 2014.
Shane Grimley, of Cashel Road, appeared charged with assault occasioning actual bodily harm and criminal damage at Armagh Magistrates’, sitting at Newry, via videolink from police custody.
The defendant confirmed he understood the charges and was connected to the same by a constable, with defence barrister Conor Coulter making no question to the connection.
Objecting to bail, prosecution outlined that on March 26, at 6.40am, police received a dropped 999 call from an address in Tassagh.
Officers attended the property and spoke to the alleged injured party who claimed that her partner, the defendant, had punched her numerous times in the face.
She stated that Grimley had then pulled her by her hair before smashing a vase and glasses.
Her account was captured of bodyworn camera footage, along with images of the scene which showed glasses shattered on the ground and a clump of hair.
The defendant was subsequently arrested for the offences before the court, with his reply to caution being: “It’s my home, I can smash anything I like.”
During interview whilst in custody, Grimley made no comment to questions put to him.
Prosecution submitted that the defendant had a “significant record” with 79 previous convictions but accepted there had been a “lacuna” in offending since 2014.
They added that there was a concern that Grimley would “interfere” with the alleged victim in this case.
Defence barrister Conor Coulter stated that an address was available to the defendant in Dungannon and that an exclusion zone could be included in any bail conditions.
Deputy District Judge Philip Mateer said that he was minded to grant Grimley bail given the gap in his offending.
The defendant was granted his own bail of £500, with conditions to reside at and address on Annahagh Road in Dungannon, not to contact the injured party and not to enter Cashel Road in Tassagh.
