‘You are a risk to women’

A JUDGE has branded a Limavady man ‘a risk to women’ after he appeared in court accused of causing grievous bodily harm, with intent, to his partner on Valentine's Day.
Michael Anthony McDermott, of Coolessan Walk in the town, appeared from custody before Coleraine Magistrates Court on Monday, 17 February.
The 35-year-old faced charges of causing grievous bodily harm, with intent, to the woman, causing criminal damage to her possessions, stealing bank and SIM cards from the same alleged injured party and assaulting her, occasioning actual bodily harm, on February 14 2025.
The defendant confirmed that he understood the charges and was connected to them by a detective constable.
Outlining the alleged facts, the detective said police had responded to a 999 call from a female who claimed she had been assaulted by the defendant.
Her face was blood stained and her hair was soaked in blood with visible cuts and bruising, the officer told the court.
She added that the woman had said she had been drinking and taking cocaine all night with the defendant before an argument had broken out.
“She remembers lying on the floor and being kicked on the head and torso, screaming at him to stop. When she came to on the floor he had left and clumps of hair were around the room.
“She tried to contact police but her phone wasn't working because he had taken her SIM card and her purse containing bank cards. She was reluctant to speak to police but has made a statement.”
The court also heard that the woman had attended hospital with injuries including suspected broken ribs, a broken nose and two head wounds which were both glued and stapled.
The defendant was later found in Limavady with no trousers on after he had phoned police.
He denied assaulting the woman and said he had no recollection of what had happened ‘until he found himself in shrubbery.

Full story in this week's Northern Constitution.