Derry man with history of domestic abuse remanded on sexual assault

A man has been remanded in custody at Derry Magistrate's Court today charged with sexual assault and abusing the communication network. 

Kyle Rowan (34) of Marianus Park in Derry appeared charged with abuse of the network on March 21, sexual assault on March 13 and two counts of assault on a male and a female on the same date. 

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

He told the court that police received a report of a sexual assault. 

Police were told that the defendant 'repeatedly' slapped a woman on her bottom in sight of her partner. 

It was said he was challenged but continued and was also said to have threatened the pair.

Rowan was arrested and released on police bail on condition that he did not have contact with the alleged victims.

The court heard that on March 21 one of the alleged victims claimed Rowan had contacted her through a Snapchat group and said 'if I see you around town I will kill you'.

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Rowan denied the sexual assault and claimed he had offered the injured partys somewhere to stay.

The police officer said Rowan was 'a violent offender' and had a history of domestic offences against eight former partners.

Defence solicitor Seamus Quigley said that the defendant could be managed with appropriate conditions. 

Deputy District Judge Alan White said there was a history of domestic abuse and refused bail.

Rowan was remanded in custody to appear again on April 17.