A man accused of strangling his partner on two separate occasions has had a bail variation bid to move back in with her thrown out of court.
Andrew Abraham, of no fixed abode, appeared before Craigavon Magistrates’ Court on Friday having been charged with two counts of non-fatal strangulation, common assault and two breaches of a Non-Molestation Order.
The 46-year-old’s defence barrister, Philip Reid, made an application to vary bail conditions, namely to reside back and have contact with the alleged victim.
The court heard that on Monday, May 27, police were called to a property in Alexander Gardens, Portadown following a dropped 999 call.
The call handler heard a female make a direct request for police, and upon call back, a male – Abraham – answered. He was advised to pass the phone to the female who confirmed herself as the alleged victim.
She stated that she had made the call by accident but was informed that police would have to attend the address.
The complainant told police that her partner had grabbed her by the hair and slammed her head against the headboard of her bed during a verbal altercation.
She also alleged that Abraham had grabbed her by the neck and squeezed firmly. She fought him off and attempted to contact police, however, the defendant managed to get the phone away from her.
When the complainant was informed in the call back that police would attend Abraham fled the property.
The alleged victim also informed police that on Thursday, May 23, she was awoken by Abraham – who again had his hands gripped tightly around her throat – being verbally abusive towards her. Abraham was intoxicated during both of these incidents.
The complainant contacted police shortly after they left to inform them that Abraham had phoned her to ask if police had left her home yet.
She then informed police that Abraham’s cousin was now at her address, and that Abraham had been with his cousin when he previously contacted her.
Police returned to the address and the cousin confirmed that Abraham was waiting around the corner. Abraham again phoned the complainant and police spoke to him on the phone. He agreed to attend the address, and at 5.35pm he was arrested.
Mr Reid admitted he was “struggling” with the application to vary bail conditions
“I have to say the injured party has attempted to contact my office on a number of occasions to say that she wants to withdraw her statement. She has been given the usual advice in that we cannot speak to you about that and you need to speak to police.”
He added: “She is quite keen to have him back but I appreciate that the court has a function here as well, particularly in these sort of circumstances. I’ve explained that to my client. I’ve explained to him that this is a very difficult application, but I’m asked to make it.”
While some of the previous bail conditions would be removed Mr Reid argued that the “alcohol condition would still be in place, and that has historically been the issue with both of these parties”.
That, he said, “would hopefully allow some form of comfort to the courts that if they’re not drinking, they will not end up in these kinds of positions”.
Judge Ranaghan said: “This is a difficult application, and it’s not one I’d be minded to grant given, as you say, the court’s function, and that function is to deal with matters of alleged domestic abuse in a fashion that protects those who may be subject to it.”
The case was adjourned until January 10. Abraham was released on continuing bail, with no variations, until then.
