Derry woman "terrified and vulnerable" after finding ex-partner kneeling at her bedside

A woman who woke up and found her former partner kneeling by her bed was 'too scared to speak' Derry Magistrate's Court heard today. 

Ryan Kular (37) of Elmvale in Derry appeared charged with one count of assault that was said to have occurred on July 10 last year.

The court heard that the woman was in her bed asleep when the defendant touched her on the head waking her up.

The woman said she felt 'vulnerable' and terrified that someone would come into her home.

A prosecutor argued that by putting the woman in fear this was tantamount to an assault.

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Defence solicitor Paddy MacDermott said that he felt the case had not been made out as the defendant had not done anything to put the woman in fear.

He said his client had simply intended to get his belongings and added tgat if tge door of the house had been locked he could not have entered. 

District Judge Oonagh Mullan said she believed that the charge had been made out and convicted Kular of assault. 

The case was adjourned until February 27 to allow the preparation of a pre-sentence report and Kular was released on bail.