Man accused of knocking out woman’s front teeth

A MAN allegedly entered a woman’s home in south Belfast and knocked out her two front teeth, the High Court heard yesterday.

Simon Mcdonagh (37) is accused of repeatedly punching the victim while his ex-partner pulled out clumps of her hair.

Mcdonagh, of Ross Mill Avenue in the city, faces charges of assault occasioning actual bodily harm and burglary with intent to inflict grievous bodily harm.

Prosecutors claimed his accomplice was herself threatened and subjected to an attempted choking in an earlier attack.

Crown lawyer Natasha Fitzsimons said his ex-partner told police she had been hit on November 19 last year after challenging Mcdonagh about a call he received on Facebook Messenger from another female. He then allegedly punched her head and wrapped his arm around her neck until she passed out.

During police interviews McDonagh claimed the woman had been aggressive and scrabbing at him in front of others.

He told officers that he tried to calm her, but denied any threats to attempt to choke.

Mcdonagh is charged with offences including common assault, false imprisonment, attempted choking with intent and threats to kill his ex-partner.

In a separate incident on December 30, the court heard police found a woman in a distressed state at her Derlett Street home.

“She was bleeding from her mouth, missing two front teeth and parts of her hair were lying on the floor inside the house,” Ms Fitzsimons said.

The woman cl ai med McDonagh and the alleged victim in the earlier incident came in through the back door and attacked her.

“The complainant stated that the applicant punched her several times to the face and head, and in doing so he had knocked out two of her teeth,” the prosecutor added. “She further alleged that the complainant in the first matter grabbed her by the hair and pulled some of her hair out.”

The pair deny the allegations against them.

Mcdonagh claimed he was with two of his cousins at the time of the assault.

Opposing Mcdonagh’s application for bail, Ms Fitzsimons said: “Police have highlighted that this applicant is a serial perpetrator of domestic violence.”

Defence counsel Sean Devine argued that the credibility of the case against him was undermined by claims the first alleged victim accompanied him in the subsequent attack.

Refusing bail, however, Mr Justice Humphreys cited the potential risks of reoffending and interference with witnesses.