A LISNASKEA man accused of false imprisonment of a woman at a Belfast hotel has been refused bail.
Derek McCordick (36) of Killygullan Drive, Lisnaskea appeared at Enniskillen Magistrates Court on Monday via videolink facing charges of false imprisonment, common assault, criminal damage, taking a motor vehicle without authority, using a motor vehicle without insurance, driving while disqualified and two counts of theft.
On February 15th 2019, police received a report of a woman in distress at the Park Inn Hotel, Belfast.
The court heard that the woman claimed she was being held against her will, as she had come to the hotel with the intention of only staying one night, but the accused had physically restrained her and stopped her from leaving.
McCordick is also accused of damaging two lamps, taking her mobile phone and forcibly removing the alleged victim’s handbag during the incident.
He is also accused of stealing the woman’s Audi A4, and driving the vehicle without insurance and while he was disqualified.
The court heard that police stopped a suspicious vehicle in Newtownbutler and found it to be the stolen vehicle and the defendant was arrested.
In court on Monday, Police objected to bail stating McCordick had previous convictions, and had previously shown a blatant disregard for bail.
The police claimed that the alleged victim had made a withdrawal statement after she was contacted by the defendant. However, defence counsel for McCordick claimed that for a period of time during which the victim claimed she was falsely imprisoned, the defendant was not in the room and she was free to do whatever she pleased.
Defence also added that the alleged victim had provided her phone number so McCordick could ring her, and has been writing to the defendant as they had been in a relationship prior to the incident.
Defence added the file for this case is not going to be ready for some time, and the alleged injured party has already advised police that she does not want to continue with the matter.
District Judge Michael Ranaghan said this was offence was of a ‘sinister’ and serious nature adding the defendant was a potential danger to the injured party.
Judge Ranaghan added he believed he was at a real risk of reoffending, and he would be unable to comply with bail conditions.
Judge Ranaghan refused bail and adjourned the case until April 8th.
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