Man covered in blood forced his way into Derry house and held a gun to a woman's head

A Derry court today heard that a 22-year-old man allegedly forced his way into his ex-partner's home, covered in blood, and pointed a gun at the woman's head in front of their children.

The alleged incident took place last Friday in the city.

Dylan Smith, whose address was given as the Methodist Mission, Crawford Square, appeared before Derry Magistrates Court charged with being in possession of an imitation firearm with the intention to cause fear that unlawful violence would be committed.

The court heard that Smith, accompanied by another man, burst into the home of his ex-partner in Cecilia's Walk armed with a handgun.

Smith was said to have been covered in blood and highly intoxicated.

He was then said to have pointed the gun at the the head of mother of his children while the two and three-year-old children were present.

It was alleged that he also pointed the gun at the heads of two other women in the house.

The women believed the gun was real and feared that he was going to shoot them.

Smith left and the police were called.

He was arrested a short time later and the imitation gun was recovered and sent for forensic testing.

Judge Barney McElholm said: "This happened in front of his children. He forced his way into the house covered in blood and pointed a gun at their mother's head, so it is alleged.

"I wouldn't allow him to live anywhere in this city."

Smith was refused bail and remanded in custody.

He will appear back before the court on September 3 via video link from prison.