Derry Court hears woman woke up to find former partner in bed beside her

A woman whose former partner was on police bail on condition he did not contact her woke up to find the man in bed beside her Derry Magistrate's Court heard today.

David Hamilton (27) of Rushall Road, Ardmore outside Derry appeared charged with assaulting his former partner on three occasions on November 27.

A police officer connected the accused to the charges and opposed bail.

The court heard that police were called to a report of a domestic assault where Hamilton's former partner said he had pushed her to the ground.

She said she managed to remove him from the house but he returned and punched her in the ribs.

The woman said she got him out again but he returned to the rear of the property and she claimed he grabbed her by the throat and punched her in the face.

At interview Hamilton said he may have accidentally hurt the woman but said there had only been a verbal dispute.

Hamilton was released on police bail on condition he had no contact with the woman.

The court was told that at 7.30am on December 5 she had woke up and he was in the bed beside her.

A police officer said that they had no confidence Hamilton would abide by conditions as he had only lasted 5 days before breaching his bail.

Defence solicitor Seamus Quigley said that this had been an 8 year relationship and accepted his client had 'put himself in a precarious position.'

The solicitor said that his client claimed he had received a message from the woman inviting him to come to the house.

Mr Quigley said it was 'a bizarre situation' but added that a tag might prevent any further breaches.

District Judge Barney McElholm has he would give Hamilton one chance and released him on bail on condition he observes a curfew, wear a tag and have no contact with the alleged victim.

Hamilton will appear again on December 21.