A north Belfast man who allegedly stamped on a heavily pregnant teenager’s head must remain in custody.
A north Belfast man who allegedly stamped on a heavily pregnant teenager’s head must remain in custody, a judge ruled today. Owen Johnston, 21, is also accused of repeatedly punching and pulling out clumps of her hair during an attack at his flat in the New Lodge area. Bail was refused amid concerns about the potential vulnerability of an alleged victim who has just given birth. District Judge Amanda Henderson said: “This is someone just turned 18, living on her own with a young child.” Johnston, of Cu Chulainn House on Victoria Parade, faces charges of false imprisonment, attempted grievous bodily harm and assault occasioning actual bodily harm. He was arrested after police were alerted to the suspected violent outburst at the address on February 14 this year. Previous courts heard a neighbour called at the flat after hearing the female screeching for help, but Johnston refused to let her leave. At that stage she was 17 and more than 30 weeks pregnant. Officers subsequently located her at her own home, in a distressed state and with multiple injuries, including bruises to her face and body and bald patches on her head. She claimed Johnston had become agitated and angry during an argument earlier that day. He then knocked her to the floor with a slap and stamped on her head when she tried to get back up, it was claimed. According to the teenager’s account he continued kicking her as she put her hands over her head for self protection. During the alleged assault she was punched repeatedly and grabbed by the hair, with neighbours alerted as she screamed for him to stop. At that stage she shouted “help me, help me” and attempted to get out past him, but was pushed back before the door was slammed shut, prosecutors contended. Later, she was said to have grabbed her pet dog and ran out of the flat. At Belfast Magistrates’ Court today, police described the teenager as a vulnerable individual who has alleged that Johnston’s behaviour worsened throughout her pregnancy. “She described the defendant as a nasty and vicious person,” a detective said. Defence solicitor Owen Beattie argued that Johnston should now be released due to delays in the case. Disputing the evidence against his client, Mr Beattie also raised issues about the alleged victim’s behaviour. “The injured party has been openly talking about this case on social media,” the lawyer submitted. Denying bail, however, Judge Henderson remanded Johnston in continuing custody until later this month. She added: “I remain very concerned about the gravity of the offences.”
