A Markethill man has been refused bail despite the injured party in the case visiting him in prison on eight occasions since his arrest.
Court heard the 30-year-old had been in custody since February 10 in that time the injured party had also made several phone calls to him.
Sean Anthony Taylor, of Bunker Hill, faces two counts of threats to kill, improper use of communications to cause anxiety, assault on police and breach of a non-molestation order at Armagh Magistrates’ on Tuesday.
The defendant appeared via videolink from Maghaberry as his barrister Bobbie Rea made a fresh bail application due to a change in circumstances.
Mr Rea commented: “Some time has passed since this offence but I appreciate that is simply not an adequate reason.
“However, I have been told by my client that the injured party in the case has visited numerous times whilst he has been in custody”.
A constable confirmed to the court that the injured party had visited Taylor on eight occasions since his arrest.
This, she said, was verified as she would have to display photographic ID in order to gain entrance.
It was heard the injured party had also made several phone calls to the defendant but as of yet had not made a withdrawal statement.
Prosecution stated: “The injured party does display classic victim behaviour and does have a history of making withdrawals but not in this case”.
She added that in spite of all this Taylor came before the court with “an appalling record”.
District Judge Rosie Watters commented: “He allegedly made the threats to kill her to police and he also faces a charge for assault on an officer”.
Mr Rea replied: “This was an off the cuff remark, made out of anger rather than any real intention.
“It is often the case that this injured party makes a complaint and unfortunately Mr Taylor reacts to police in this manner”.
Judge Watters stated: “The fact she has gone to visit him eight times, what does that really mean.
“She is not the key witness in a number of the offences”.
She added: “If this had of been a different set of charges which relied on her as a witness my view might be different but not in this case”.
Taylor was refused bail and remanded in custody to appear before Armagh Magistrates’ on April 16.
