A woman accused of attempting to murder her ex-partner after breaking into this home and stabbing him while he slept, has been refused bail.
Ausra Baltramaitiene (39) from Mourne Road, Lurgan is charged with attempted murder, entering as a trespasser and inflicting grievous bodily harm, possessing a knife and threatening to kill.
She also allegedly stole bank cards, a driving licence and a phone.
A detective constable told Dungannon Magistrates’ Court on the morning of October 18 police received an emergency call from at Craigavon Area Hospital after a man presented with serious injuries having been driven there by Baltramaitiene.
She claimed he was “jumped” outside his home, sustaining stab wounds including to his head, back and left leg.
But when alone with officers the victim stated he was asleep in bed when he was struck to the head and woke to find Baltramaitiene standing over him, stabbing him with a knife.
It is believed she gained access through a window.
The victim told police, “You have to catch her. She said she is going to kill her ex-husband.”
There was a lot of blood and he asked her to phone an ambulance but she refused.
Knowing he needed medical assistance he asked her to drive to hospital stating he wouldn’t disclose what happened.
While she agreed, she cleaned up the blood before they left.
Baltramaitiene was located in a waiting area and arrested.
CCTV of her arriving with the victim indicated she had since changed her clothing.
A search of her car uncovered items soaked in blood including bedding, bathmats, socks and a mop.
Meanwhile forensic officers examined the victim’s home which had been thoroughly cleaned and the bed was freshly made but underneath the mattress was badly blood stained.
A search of Baltramaitiene’s home recovered the victim’s phone, bank cards and driving licence as was the clothing initially worn to the hospital
During interview she made a pre-prepared statement claiming the victim rang her at 6am asking her to come to him urgently.
She contended he was outside his house and claimed he had been attacked.
The detective said, “She claims (victim) asked her to clean up the house and during this gave her two bags of what she thought was rubbish and asked her to put them in her car. She then took him to hospital and on the way, claims he asked her to delete her call log and he would explain why later.”
Baltramaitiene advised she and the victim were in a relationship for four months but parted because of “this sort of behaviour by him.”
She left the victim at the hospital, went home to feed her dog before returning and asking to see him
Having been directed to a waiting room, she was subsequently arrested.
Baltramaitiene insisted she did not assault the victim and could think of no reason why he would make this up.
Objecting to bail the detective said: “We believe she calculatedly got into her vehicle, travelled around 20 miles, entered the victim’s home with a weapon and carried out a vicious, unprovoked attack … She cleaned the scene destroying evidence in the process. She has a previous relevant conviction which occurred outside a school involving a weapon and was also unprovoked.”
The defence said Baltramaitiene had given her account to police and bail could be granted with stringent conditions.
District Judge Francis Rafferty enquired, “Is she claiming a man who had been stabbed asked her to change the sheets before taking him to hospital? Or is she particularly house proud?”
The defence simply replied, “Yes, she is.”
Throwing out the application Judge Rafferty ruled, “The risks are just too high.”
Baltramaitiene will appear again by video-link on November 19.
