Coleraine man alleged to have '˜stamped on woman's head'

A woman's head was allegedly stamped on until blood poured from her nose, the High Court has been told
Judge's court wig and hammer or gavelJudge's court wig and hammer or gavel
Judge's court wig and hammer or gavel

She also claimed in a separate incident the same man pulled a clump of her hair out by trailing her from a bed.

Stuart McArthur, 32, of Portstewart Road in Coleraine, faces charges of assault occasioning actual bodily harm over the alleged attacks at houses in the north coast area.

He was granted compassionate bail to visit his mother in hospital after a judge was told the complainant has now made a withdrawal statement.

McArthur is accused of a violent outburst at an address in Portstewart on June 6.

The woman told police he had took her mobile phone and thrown it against a wall.

Prosecution counsel Conor Maguire continued: “She said she asked the applicant to leave, at which point he grabbed her by the throat, pushed her to the ground and stamped on her head approximately six times.

“She said he only stopped when blood started to pour from her nose.”

McArthur was arrested after being located at another house in nearby Portrush a week later.

He also faces charges of criminal damage and obstructing police.

At the time he had been on bail for a previous alleged assault on the same woman - deemed as being at high risk by police.

She was discovered with bruising to her legs, cuts to her hands and elbow, and a chipped tooth by officers called out to an incident in January.

Mr Maguire said: “She reported the applicant had dragged her from bed by her hair, causing a clump of her hair to be pulled out and damage to a coffee table belonging to her.”

However, earlier this month the woman made a statement withdrawing her allegations.

She has also phoned and visited McArthur while he has been remanded in custody.

Defence counsel said the accused’s mother has a medical condition and is due to undergo surgery after suffering an allergic reaction to something she ate.

Granting temporary release for McArthur to visit her in hospital, Mr Justice Deeny imposed a curfew and alcohol ban.

An application for full bail is due to be heard next week.