'Serial domestic perpetrator' remanded at Derry Court

A man has been remanded in custody at Derry Magistrate's Court today after being charged with harassing his former partner and engaging in a course of abusive behaviour.

Aaron Donnelly (28) of Manorwood in Derry was charged with harrassment aggravated by domestic abuse on November 22.

He was also charged with a course of conduct that was abusive and likely to cause physical or psychological harm again on the same date.

Donnelly was also charged with assaulting the same female and another woman on October 29.

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

She told the court that on October 29 at 10.40am police were called to a domestic incident.

The alleged victim said Donnelly had called to collect his daughter and seemed to be taking a long time.

When challenged Donnelly was said to have become confrontational.

The former partner said she was going to phone Donnelly's mother and at that the defendant was said to have taken the phone off her and would not return it.

He also was said to have pushed the other woman out of the room.

A police officer said this relationship had ended some three years ago and Donnelly was still 'jealous' of who the woman spoke to or had anything to do with.

At interview Donnelly admitted taking the phone and holding the door to stop the other woman coming in.

He was released on police bail on condition he had no contact with his former partner.

As regards the incident on November 22 the court was told that the alleged victim reported that Donnelly had been to her house and she was 'terrified'.

She told police he had been harassing her since his arrest in October and contacting her on a daily basis.

She said he had called at her address and told police all contact with him was 'unwanted'.

Bail was opposed due to the risk of re-offending as the officer said Donnelly had 11 previous convictions which were all domestic related against previous partners.

She described the accused as 'a serial perpetrator of domestic abuse against any partner.'

Defence solicitor Seamus Quigley asked had Donnelly said that there had been two way contact between the pair and the officer said he had suggested this.

The solicitor said that there had been no serious physical violence and asked for bail on the grounds that the accused was in employment and could be excluded from the city side.

The judge said that there were no bail conditions that would control Donnelly and refused bail.

Donnelly will appear again on December 22.