An Irvinestown man with a prolific criminal record who is managed in the community by a specialist police unit, has been remanded in custody accused of seriously assaulting his cousin during a fight.

Andrew Fisher (23) of Hudson Heights, Irvinestown is accused of unlawfully and maliciously inflicting grievous bodily harm on a male.

A detective constable told Enniskillen Magistrates Court said the charge could be connected.

She explained police were called to an ongoing fight outside a bar in the Kelvin Road area of Omagh on the evening of September 4, during which a male had reportedly been ‘glassed’.

On arrival police discovered the victim sitting on a grass verge, covered in blood and with cuts around his body.

He claimed to have been struck multiple times to the head in an attempt to knock him out.

Significant open wounds were noted to his head and chest.

He told police he and Fisher had gone to the home of a friend for a few drinks, and he didn’t know how the fight started.

However he recalled Fisher hitting him on the head with a broken cup, then used this to cut the victim’s chest.

A police patrol located Fisher a short distance away with his clothes: “Saturated in blood.”

Meanwhile the victim was taken to South West Acute Hospital for treatment.

Fisher was arrested and provided no comment responses to all questions, except when formally charged he replied: “Not guilty.”

He made: “No counter-allegations or defence during interview,” the court was told.

Objecting to bail, the detective pointed out Fisher is classed as a significant offender with 45 previous convictions and is managed in the community by a special police unit.

He was recently on probation for a time but this was revoked due to his failure to fully engage.

It was replaced with a prison sentence from which Fisher had only been released from 10 days before the latest matter allegedly occurring.

The detective said: “Police believe there is a high likelihood of reoffending. There are other matters currently under investigation.”

A defence barrister pointed to the relationship between his client and the victim, whom it was noted has not as yet provided a statement

While it was accepted Fisher’s record: “Does him no credit” the defence suggested bail could be granted with stringent conditions, including residence with his parents.

He added: “This matter ultimately may not lead to the charge currently before the court.”

District Judge Steven Keown was not persuaded and refused bail, remanding Fisher in custody to appear again by video-link at Omagh Magistrates Court next month.