Man jailed for walker assault

Victim, 53, attacked in broad daylight

A 54-YEAR-OLD man has been jailed for attacking a woman as she walked her dogs in a park.

Christopher Martin Mcguinness pinned the victim to the ground, straddled her and then hit her several times with a stick before fleeing.

The woman, who was 53, feared she would be raped during the violent incident at Belvoir Forest Park in Belfast at around 2pm on Sunday October 21, 2018.

Mcguinness, from Ormeau Road in the city, admitted charges of both common and sexual assault and was remanded i nto custody ah ead of sentencing next month.

Crown barrister David Russell said: “She was totally overpowered, she felt fear ful of being raped or sexually assaulted and felt in fear for her life.” During interview Mcguinness claimed he had no memory of the incident as he had been on a three-day drink and drugs binge.

Mr Russell told Belfast Crown Court the accused was a “misogynist” who has a long-standing addiction to alcohol which he refused to address and had previous convictions for violence against women and sexual offences.

He read a statement from the victim which said: “The fact it was on a Sunday during the day in broad daylight and with many walking about the forest means there is no part of the day or night that feels exactly safe when I’m outside and on my own.”

The woman now carries a hiking pole and rape alarm when walking her dogs.

She felt fearful of being raped.. and for her life DAVID RUSSELL QC BELFAST YESTERDAY