High Court hears Derry man Sean Kelly ‘attacked ex-partner while armed with screwdriver’
Sean Kelly is charged with assaulting the woman and another man at the property in Derry’s Carnhill estate last weekend.
The 39-year-old plasterer, of Foyle Road in the city, faces further counts of burglary and possessing an offensive weapon with intent over the incident which happened last Sunday, February 24.
But defence lawyers argued the complaints have been made up because he is now in a new relationship.
Police were told Kelly was refused entry when he arrived at the woman’s home.
She claimed he then went onto a balcony, kicked in a kitchen window and climbed inside.
Prosecution counsel alleged Kelly slapped the woman about the face and pushed her into a bedroom where the assault continued.
“The injured party stated he was holding a screwdriver and as she attempted to disarm him she suffered two cuts to her hand,” the barrister said.
She claimed another man at the property was punched in the face when he intervened.
During interviews Kelly denied breaking in or attacking either complainant.
He said that he had gone to the address to collect his belongings.
Defence barrister Joe Brolly contended that the woman is “unreliable and extremely violent”.
He told the court she was previously captured on CCTV repeatedly striking a prone man about the head.
Submitting that Kelly broke up with her and has now started a new relationship, Mr Brolly claimed the allegations have no supporting evidence.
“They are merely being used as a lever because of the fact he has ended the relationship,” he said.
Counsel further alleged Kelly’s new girlfriend was sent a message calling her a “fat slag” and threatening “I will go through you”.
Granting bail, Judge Brian Sherrard banned the accused from contacting either complainant or entering the Carnhill estate.
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