Law trainee charged with assaults on same woman

A TRAINEE solicitor has appeared in court accused of a series of assaults on the same woman.

Kevin McDaid, who was at Londonderry Magistrates Court yesterday, is said to have committed 13 offences on dates between May and October last year.

The 31-year-old faces eight charges of assault, one of false imprisonment, two of causing criminal damage to the woman’s mobile phones, and one of causing criminal damage to an item of her clothing.

A police officer said he was confident he could connect the defendant to all of the charges.

The case was adjourned until March 28 and the defendant, who is originally from Prince’s Terrace in Derry but currently lives at a bail address on the Ormeau Road in Belfast, was released on continuing bail until that date.

As part of his release conditions McDaid is banned from contacting the complainant and must reside at his bail address in Belfast.

He is banned from consuming alcohol and from possessing alcohol either for himself or for a third party.

The defendant must also submit to a breathalyser test if asked to do so by the police.

McDaid is only allowed to enter Derry for the purpose of employment, and when he arrives from Belfast by train he must walk from the train station and along Craigavon Bridge, and leave the city by the same route.

He must also observe an 11pm to 6am curfew. THE new most senior Orangeman in Belfast is an avid model railway fan and has a collection of the cricketing ‘bible’ — Wisden’s Almanack.

Spencer Beattie has just been elected as the Grand Master of the County Grand Orange Lodge of Belfast.

The 68-year-old father-ofthree succeeds George Chittick.

Mr Beattie said it was a “truly humbling experience” to assume the role.

He said: “It is an enormous honour and privilege to have been elected as the County Grand Master of the County Grand Orange Lodge of Belfast.”

The Order said Mr Beattie played a leading role in resolving the Crumlin Road impasse, and that he aspired to a day in the future when all Orange parades were unopposed in Belfast.

“We remain committed to achieving fair and equitable parading legislation and seek to only walk on shared arterial routes in all of our public processions,” said Mr Beattie.

“Previous determinations by the Parades Commission have served to damage community relations and foster division,” he added.

“We believe a fairer regulatory system would be supported by the overwhelming number of people from all communities and would go some way to aiding mutual tolerance and respect for all traditions, for the betterment of all in our city,” commented Mr Beattie.

Mr Beattie, a member of Tyndale LOL 1869, is a retired general manager.

The grandfather-of-six and great-grandfather-of-two is an avid Glasgow Rangers supporter.

He also follows the English cricket team and boasts a collection of Wisden Cricketers’ Almanack.

He has a lifelong interest in model railways, with a large personal collection of trains and rolling stock.

Meanwhile, William Hughes, from Sandy Row District, will assume the position of Deputy County Grand Master, replacing Mr Beattie in the role.

Elsewhere, Perry Reid and Samuel Calvin have been elected as new County Grand Masters in Tyrone and Londonderry respectively.