Derry Court: Man (22) caused 'unnecessary suffering' to a dog during domestic assault of his sister

Derry Magistrate's Court heard today how a man was alleged to have kicked a dog in the course of a domestic assault on his sister.

Edvinas Zaldis (22) of Cornshell Fields in Derry appeared at the local Magistrate's Court today charged with assaulting a female aggravated by domestic abuse, smashing a mobile phone and causing unnecessary suffering to a dog on April 30.

A police officer connected the accused to the charges.

The court heard that at 11.45pm police were called to a report of a domestic incident at Cornshell Fields.

The alleged injured party told police she had become involved in a verbal altercation with her brother, Zaldis.

She said that he had punched and kicked her while they were at the top of the stairs.

This was witnessed by a friend of the woman.

Both woman then went into a bedroom and again Zaldis was said to have entered punched her, grabbed her by the throat and then threw her phone across the room damaging it.

The accused was then said to have kicked a bull dog before leaving the room.

At interview Zaldis accepted damaging the phone but denied kicking the dog or assaulting his sister.

Defence solicitor Paddy MacDermott said that his client was denying the assaults.

He said police had no objection to bail to an address approved by the PSNI.

Bail was agreed to an address approved by police on condition he wear a tag and observe a curfew and has no contact with the alleged injured party or any witnesses.

He will appear again on May 25.