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‘She stated that when she shouted for help he threatened to kill her’

By Alan Erwin

May 20, 2026 at 3:32pm BST

A Belfast man allegedly trailed his ex-partner into bushes beside a busy dual carriageway to rape and strangle her, a court heard on Wednesday.

He also threatened to kill the woman during a suspected attack close to the Westlink in the city on Tuesday, police contended.

The 22-year-old defendant, who cannot be named for legal reasons, claims he has been wrongly accused after attempting to end contact between them.

He was remanded into custody on disputed charges of rape, non-fatal strangulation, sexual assault and threats to kill.

Belfast Magistrates’ Court heard the pair met up on the outskirts of the city and took a taxi to the Clifton Street area before walking towards the Grosvenor Road.

At some stage the defendant allegedly became aggressive and began to question the woman.

She claims he then dragged her from a footpath to a stretch of wood before subjecting her to serious sexual assaults.

An investigating detective told the court: “She stated that when she shouted for help he threatened to kill her.”

Based on CCTV footage, the woman was said to have left the area and made her way to Grand Central Station.

She later attended a specialist sexual assault centre to undergo lengthy medical examinations which confirmed a number of injuries.

The court also heard how the defendant sent her a number of messages following the incident.

One of them stated: ‘I won’t ever see you again. Goodbye my love, my life is ruined.’

During his police interviews the man denied all of the offences.

He stated the pair had sheltered from the rain under a tree and smoked a joint together while on their walk near the Westlink.

Denying any violence, he claimed she became aggressive after accusing him of messaging other women.

When the defendant was shown photos of her injuries, he told police they were either caused by self-harm or from someone throwing an e-cigarette at her on a bus.

Defence solicitor Eoghan McKenna argued that the allegations were made because his client had attempted to end any further relationship.

“His account is that he didn’t feel that anything illegal had occurred, but there was an emotionally-charged situation,” the lawyer submitted.

Refusing bail, District Judge Natasha Fitzsimons remanded the accused in custody until June 17.

She held: “There is a risk of interference with witnesses and a risk of re-offending.”

Man left with burn injuries following Belfast car arson attack – The Irish News

Emergency services were called to the Bannagh Corner area of the city at around 4am on Saturday

A man suffered burn injuries after a car was set on fire in east Belfast early on Saturday morning.

Emergency services were called to the Bannagh Corner area of the city at around 4am on Saturday, May 9, following reports of a car on fire.

The PSNI attended the scene while the NI Fire and Rescue Service dealt with the blaze.

A man in his 30s suffered burn injuries as a result of the fire.

Police have launched an arson investigation following the incident and are asking anyone with any information to contact them.

A PSNI spokesperson said: “Police received a report of a car on fire in the Bannagh Corner area of east Belfast at approximately 4am this morning, Saturday May 9.

“Officers attended the scene alongside colleagues from the Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service who extinguished the blaze.

“A man aged in his 30s sustained burns as a result of the fire.

“Police are treating this report as arson, an investigation is ongoing.”

Police attend disorder as young people gather in Connswater area of East Belfast | Belfast Live

It's understood many of the young people in attendance travelled from further afield

Police have attended scenes of disorder in East Belfast as crowds of young people gathered in the area. Videos from the scene show crowds of young people gathering in the Connswater area on Saturday night, May 9.

The incident developed at CS Lewis Square following the annual East Belfast Protestant Boys parade. However, it's understood many of the young people in attendance travelled from further afield, and were not involved in the parade.

It follows ongoing incidents of young people travelling to the area in recent weeks for arranged fights and anti-social behaviour. Many of these incidents have been centred around the derelict Connswater Shopping Centre.

Speaking to Belfast Live, local DUP councillor Ruth Brooks said: "The trouble involving a small minority at CS Lewis Square should not take away from what was otherwise a successful and well-supported East Belfast Protestant Boys parade.

"There have been ongoing issues with detached youth who travel to East Belfast for the purposes of stirring up trouble and disorder. This is becoming an increasing challenge and has caused issues for residents, youth workers, local communities and, tonight, for parade organisers and those attending responsibly.

"The overwhelming majority of those attending tonight’s parade came to enjoy the occasion responsibly and support a long-standing cultural event within the community."

Last month, four young people were detained by police at the former Connswater Shopping Centre for anti-social behaviour and criminal damage after entering the derelict site.

At the time, police said they were aware of ongoing issues with anti-social behaviour in the area. PSNI Neighbourhood Inspector Dawson said: "Young people who choose to engage in anti-social behaviour must understand it is unacceptable and must stop.

"People have a right to live in peace and to feel safe in their communities. Officers continue to work alongside partner agencies, local representatives and the community to find collaborative and proactive solutions to address the problem.

"Parents and guardians must speak to their young people about where they are and who they are with and also warn them of the dangers of getting involved in behaviour which could result in injuring themselves, others, or ultimately, a criminal record."

Domestic abuse accused sent Snapchat video of attack on partner to her son | Belfast Live

This showed the woman being dragged to the floor then repeatedly kicked in the head as she shouted out the defendant’s name.

An incident of domestic abuse in which a woman was dragged to the floor and kicked to the face was filmed and sent to her son, a special court sitting has heard.

Brandon Gillen (26) from Creamery Close, Enniskillen is charged with assaulting a woman causing actual and engaging in threatening or abusive behaviour, both of which are aggravated by domestic abuse.

A police officer aware of the facts of the case told Dungannon Magistrates' Court the charges could be connected.

She explained on 1 May police responded to a report in the Letterbreen area of Enniskillen after the injured party’s son was sent a video of his mother being attacked by Gillen.

This showed the woman being dragged to the floor then repeatedly kicked in the head as she shouted out the defendant’s name.

She sustained injuries to both eyes consistent with kicking.

It emerged that police had attended the property a few hours beforehand following a third-party report in an unrelated matter, during which only Gillen and the injured party were present, and she had no injuries at that time.

During the interview, Gillen initially made ‘no comment’ replies to all questions put to him; however, he then went on to say he did assault the woman due to his level of intoxication.

He also admitted sending a video of the assault via Snapchat.

Objecting to bail the officer said there is a significant risk of further offending and as well as concerns for the alleged victim’s safety.

“The defendant has 61 previous convictions including 11 for assaulting police, four for breaching court orders, 11 for assault, 13 for criminal damage and two for threatening behaviour,” said the officer.

There is also a domestic abuse history involving his mother, previous partners and his current partner.

The officer added, “Addiction issues escalate the defendant’s offending behaviour.”

A defence barrister accepted the application for bail was difficult but stressed, “With appropriate conditions this could be managed, including an address being approved by police.”

She pointed out that there is as yet no statement of complaint from the injured party, and the only evidential basis at present is the Snapchat video.

The officer clarified the woman was initially spoken to and wasn’t cooperating with police but “Sometimes in these matters a couple of days can change how an injured party feels, so I understand that will be followed up in due course.”

The defence reiterated there is presently no complaint adding, “In a lot of these circumstances it’s unlikely one will be made. Regardless of that, conditions could be put in place to ensure the defendant does not interfere with the injured party.”

District Judge Conor Heaney said, “The court must look at the question of whether any risk presented by the defendant can be managed by the imposition of bail conditions. He has 61 previous convictions and relevant entries including domestic abuse and breaches of bail. I’m not satisfied he is a suitable candidate for bail.”

Gillen will appear again by video-link at Enniskillen Magistrates Court on 1 June.

Co Tyrone man in court over £1m cocaine find and indecent images of children | Belfast Live

Hudson’s personal device and contained indecent child imagery comprising 28 images and 31 videos in Category A (the most serious)

Bail has been refused during a special court sitting which heard in excess of £1million in cocaine was discovered as well as indecent child imagery and attempts to pay for sexual services.

Aaron Hudosn (30) from Moorville, Stewartstown is charged with possessing and being concerned in the supply of cocaine and cannabis as well as possessing and transferring criminal property.

He is further accused of possessing and making indecent images of children and attempting to pay for sexual services.

Offending is alleged to have occurred on dates between 20 January and 2 May.

A detective constable from the PSNI Organised Crime Branch to a Dungannon Magistrates Court the cases could be connected.

She explained on 20 January, police stopped Hudson as he was driving a vehicle in the Gosford Road area of Armagh.

A search recovered two phones and what was considered by police to be a ledger relating to drug supply and containing contacts.

He was not arrested at this time, and the phones were sent for examination, one of which showed “clear evidence of involvement in the delivery of multiple kilos of drugs” as exchanges and collecting cash.

Communication was on various platforms, including Signal and WhatsApp, showing messages following up on deliveries and transactions.

It also indicated Hudson was collecting cash on behalf of unknown persons showing names, values and exchanges.

The second phone was believed to be Hudson’s personal device and contained indecent child imagery comprising 28 images and 31 videos in Category A (the most serious), 19 images and 16 videos in Category B and 39 images and 14 videos in Category C.

There was also contact with sex workers including agreeing prices for activity and in one message he said he was obtaining cash and was provided with an address.

This phone also contained some evidence of drugs supply and money laundering.

On receipt of this evidence police arrested Hudson and another device was seized which showed a connection to a storage facility in his name.

This was searched and 11 kilos of cocaine were recovered with a street value of over £1 million which, said the detective, “was a huge find.”

During interview Hudson gave an explanation in relation to the sexual offending but gave ‘no comment’ replies to the drugs matters.

Objecting to bail the detective said, “The risk of further offending is huge. For the defendant to have control of that amount of drugs indicates he is deeply into this offending . This is his lifestyle. He has no legitimate work. This is a loss of a huge amount of drugs putting him in significant debt which he has no means of repaying without returning to criminality. There are also concerns in terms of sexual offending and there is a danger to his own safety once these matters are made known.”

Defence solicitor Jarlath Faloon urged bail to be granted, telling the court while Hudson has a record for possessing cannabis 10 years ago there is nothing for indecent images.

He added there will also be enquiries into who had access to the storage facility although accepted it was rented by Hudson.

But refusing bail District Judge Conor Heaney said, “The charges are of the utmost seriousness, not just the drugs offending but the sexual matters.”

Hudson was remanded in custody to appear again by video-link on 13 May.

Man charged with attempted murder over car bomb attack outside Dunmurry police station | Belfast Live

A car exploded outside a PSNI station last Saturday as people were being evacuated

By A 66-year-old man has been charged with several offences following a car bomb attack on Dunmurry police station. On Saturday, a male delivery driver was hijacked in the Twinbrook area of west Belfast. A device was placed inside the vehicle and he was ordered to drive to Dunmurry police station. The car exploded outside the station as people were being evacuated. Nobody was injured. The 66-year-old man was arrested in the Dunmurry area under the Terrorism Act on Tuesday.

He has been charged with a number of offences, including attempted murder, possessing explosives with intent to endanger life or cause serious injury to property, causing an explosion likely to endanger life or cause serious injury to property, possession of articles for use in terrorism and hijacking. He is expected to appear before Lisburn Magistrates’ Court on Saturday. A police spokesman said that as is usual procedure, all charges will be reviewed by the Public Prosecution Service.