Woman ‘dragged into woods and raped by ex’ as CCTV exhibits her fleeing in tears
A 22-year-old man from North Belfast has been charged with rape, sexual assault, non-fatal strangulation and threats to kill after a woman was allegedly dragged into a wooded area
The alleged attack happened in a wooded area close to the Westlink
A woman was reportedly pulled into a wooded area, thrown to the ground, kicked in the head and raped by an ex-partner, a court has heard. A 22-year-old man from North Belfast appeared at magistrates’ court facing multiple charges related to an incident on Tuesday, May 19.
These include rape, sexual assault, non-fatal strangulation and threats to kill. The victim was the defendant’s former partner, with the court hearing that the charges were aggravated by domestic abuse. The court was told that the defendant and the victim had met in the Newtownabbey area before taking a taxi to the Clifton Street area of Belfast City Centre.
They were later walking near the Grosvenor Road when the defendant’s “behaviour changed”, becoming aggressive and questioning the victim about messaging other men. He is then accused of dragging the victim from the footpath into a nearby wooded area and raping her. He is also alleged to have thrown her on the ground, kicked her in the head and strangled her.
The court heard that CCTV footage from the area shows the victim fleeing from a wooded area beside the Westlink in a distressed state, with the defendant emerging minutes later.
She ran towards Grand Central Station, where staff ushered her into an office, and she disclosed what had occurred, reports Belfast Live.
Following the incident, the victim underwent an eight-hour medical examination, during which police took 41 images of her injuries. The court also heard that the accused reached out to the victim after the incident, stating: “I will never see you again my love, my life is ruined”.
The defendant has denied the charges. His legal team explained that he and the victim had been walking together when an argument ensued before they parted ways, with the defendant trailing the victim shortly afterwards.
He informed police during interviews that the injuries sustained by the victim had occurred on prior days due to an e-cigarette being hurled at her on the bus and self-inflicted harm.
Tthe judge denied bail and ordered the defendant to be held in custody. He is scheduled to reappear in court next month on June 17.
