Bond’s Hill man faces threat charge

Hugh Gerard McConnell, of Bond’s Hill, is charged with making a threat to kill, making a threat to damage property and harassment.

The offences were allegedly committed between April 29 and May 3.

Londonderry Magistrate’s Court heard claims that McConnell was ‘continually ringing’ his ex-partner.

She answered one of these calls and he allegedly threatened to kill her and ‘stab you to death’.

He also allegedly threatened to burn her in her bed.

Opposing bail, an investigating officer said the woman was ‘terrified’ of McConnell and there was a long history of domestic violence.

She said the 39-year-old had breached bail in the past and police feared he would not adhere to bail conditions.

The court also heard McConnell has 140 previous convictions.

District Judge Peter King refused the application because McConnell had shown ‘blatant disregard’ for the court and bail conditions in the past.

He said the domestic abuse report showed a ‘continually and constant unhappy domestic history between you’.

The judge said very few of these allegations had ‘reached the door of this court’.

However, he said given the background, only an address outside the city would be suitable to ensure the complainant was ‘safe’.

McConnell was remanded in custody to appear in court again via video link, on May 28.