A Fintona man has been remanded in custody after a high-aggression domestic violence attack against a woman who he allegedly punched with such force, he fractured her jaw.

Stanley John Hamilton (42) from Mitchellbourne Terrace, who was described as a violent offender managed by a special public protection unit, is charged with causing the woman grievous bodily harm, falsely imprisoning and attempting to choke her and possessing an offensive weapon, namely a hunting knife.

A detective constable told Dungannon Magistrates Court the charges could be connected.

She explained during the early hours of August 28 the injured party contacted police by 999-emergency call, reporting a domestic violence incident by Hamilton.

Socialising

The couple had been out socialising in a bar the previous evening when Hamilton “became jealous over an interaction with other males.”

Once outside he grabbed her handbag, breaking the strap before throwing it onto the street.

He went home and the injured party called at his property to collect her dog, however he locked her in and began beating her.

She claims to have hit him repeatedly in self-defence until he fell to the floor, then proceeded to arm himself with a knife, brandishing it in a threatening manner.

Blood

Officers observed blood in the living room, bathroom and hallway as well as on contents in a bin.

Both Hamilton and the woman were noted to have injuries and made claims against each other.

He told police the woman arrived at his home and “beat the face off him”.

She further disclosed an incident on August 19 in which it is alleged Hamilton punched her after a verbal altercation. He became more enraged as time went by, placing his hands about her throat and squeezing.

Based on the evidence available, both parties were arrested, however the woman was later de-arrested while enquiries continue.

A search of Hamilton’s property recovered a large hunting knife in his bedroom as well as three Samurai-type swords and a knuckleduster.

Meanwhile the woman attended hospital where it was established she sustained a fractured jaw along with other facial bruising and swelling.

During interview Hamilton denied all allegations put to him.

The detective opposed bail, describing the defendant as “a Category One violent offender and subject to public protection arrangements. 

“This incident may result in review and raising of his categorisation. He is also subject to a Violent Offences Prevention Order (VOPO), probation supervision and licensing. There are 40 previous convictions on record, including in domestic circumstances. There are six serious assaults, one of which was wounding. 

“The risk of reoffending is high and there is an established and escalating pattern of violence and aggression within a domestic context, which have in the past included assaults on his sister-in-law, his former wife and teenage son”.

A defence solicitor accepted the charges are very serious and his client has a poor record, but added: “There are triable issues in this case and a lot of investigation has yet to be done. With stringent conditions, bail could be granted.”

District Judge Steven Keown, disagreed stating: “This man has a propensity for extreme violence. There is clearly a very high risk of reoffending to do so with violence, weapons and/or aggression. He cannot be managed on bail.”

Hamilton was remanded in custody to appear again by video-link at Omagh Magistrates Court on September 20.