County Down man accused of raping two week old son to be questioned on other matters

by Q Radio News

A Co. Down man accused of raping his baby son is to be questioned on other matters, a judge ruled today.

Standing handcuffed in the dock of Newry Magistrates Court the 25-year-old, who cannot be named to protect his infant son, confirmed his name and date of birth. 

He is in custody charged with sexually assaulting his two-week-old son on 29 September last year and with inflicting grievous bodily harm on the baby with intent. 

Previous courts have heard how the child was found with broken ribs and thigh bones and was taken to hospital with unexplained injuries including a brain haemorrhage, a number of broken bones, traumatic bruising and bleeding. 

The defendant denies sexually assaulting the infant and an unsuccessful bail hearing at the High Court heard how he claimed he may have unintentionally hit the child’s head on a wall while “tired and frustrated.”

That court also heard claims police allegedly discovered extreme pornographic material and indecent images of children on a phone linked to the accused.

In Newry Magistrates Court today (wed), Detective Constable Davis confirmed the police were applying under Article 47 for the defendant to be released into their custody for 24 hours to be questioned “in relation to other separate offences than which he is presently in custody.”

The defence Solicitor confirmed the application was being consented to. 

That being the case, District Judge Eamon King ordered the alleged rapist to be freed into police custody at Banbridge PSNI station for 24 hours.