Derry man who allegedly subjected his partner to 'coercive control' has been refused bail at Derry Magistrate's Court

A man who a judge said had subjected his partner to 'coercive control' has been refused bail at Derry Magistrate's Court today.

Thomas Rush (39) of Glengalliagh Park in Derry appeared charged with assaulting a female aggravated by domestic abuse on January 2.

A police officer connected the accused to the charges and opposed bail. 

He told the court that police were alerted by a social worker to a domestic incident. 

Police spoke to the alleged victim and she told police Rush had assaulted her at 5am by pushing her to the ground and trying to strangle her. 

She said she had managed to fight him off and ran to her neighbours. 

The woman also claimed that Rush was 'controlling her' by saying who she could talk to on the phone. 

When questioned the defendant claimed he had been assaulted by the woman.

Bail was opposed due to the risk of re-offending and the officer said there was a seven page domestic history report. 

He added that police believed no address within the city would be suitable. 

Defence solicitor Don Mahoney said that the pair were involved in what he described as 'a challenging relationship'.

He said drink had been taken by both parties and 'voices were raised'.

He asked for bail as Rush had an address on the City side while the alleged injured party lived in the Waterside. 

District Judge Barney McElholm said that that would be fine 'if there was an armed guard on the bridge.'

He said he would suggest an address 'somewhere like Belfast or Newry.'

The judge said that the legislation Rush was charged under dated back to the 1860s and there had been an attempt to bring in laws governing strangling but this had been stalled due to no government here. 

He refused bail and remanded Rush in custody to appear again on January 26.