Derry man charged with assaulting female and harassment remanded

A man has been remanded in custody at Derry Magistrate's Court today charged with assaulting a female and harassment.

Gareth Wray (45) of Cornshell Fields in Derry appeared charged with assaulting a female on July 11, assault on the same female on May 5, harassment and carrying out behaviour that amounted to domestic abuse between May 5 and July 11.

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

She told the court that the alleged victim told police that on May 5 she had been in the company of the accused and there had been a domestic incident and Wray had 'deliberately' spat in her face. 

The court heard that following that incident Wray was said to have made 35 calls to the woman. 

Police tried to locate Wray but were unable to do so. 

He same woman the contacted police on July 18 to relate an incident that she said occurred on July 11.

She claimed that she had been with Wray and they had taken alcohol and drugs. 

The woman said that Wray was 'off his head' and had grabbed her by the hair and banged her head off a window seven to ten times. 

She alleged he had jumped up and down on her and punched her in the face. 

At the time the woman said he was running a bath and threatened to drown her. 

Bail was opposed due to the risk of interference with witnesses and the fact Wray has 40 previous convictions and a history of breaching bail. 

Defence solicitor Seamus Quigley asked the officer why the delay in reporting the July incident and was told the woman wanted to talk to her solicitor. 

The solicitor said that the defendant had his own address and said he could be released on bail with conditions. 

District Judge Rosie Waters said there was a real risk of re-offending and refused bail. 

Wray was remanded in custody to appear again on August 15.