Lurgan man accused of sexually assaulting a woman and threatening to kill her is refused bail at Craigavon court

Jamie Geddis, aged 35, from Ailsbury Park, Lurgan appeared before Craigavon Magistrates Court via video link from Maghaberry Prison.

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He is charged with aggravated burglary with intent to cause grievous bodily harm, assault causing actual bodily harm, threats to kill, sexual assault, criminal damage, possession of an offensive weapon and namely a knife with intent to commit grievous bodily harm on November 24 this year.

Opposing bail, a PSNI officer said that on November 24, at 6.31am, police received a call from the complainant, stating a man was in the house with a knife.

When police arrived, they spoke to the complainant who claimed the defendant appeared at her living room window ‘looking for a cigarette and was under the influence of drugs’.

The officer said: “When she opened the window to hand the cigarette over, he ripped open the window, demanding to get into the house, saying that a male owed him money and that he was going to be getting that money.”

Despite being told the man wasn’t there, ‘the defendant climbed in the window, pushing the couch out of the way and gripping the blinds down, causing damage to them’.

“It is alleged that the defendant grabbed the woman by her hair and threw her to the ground, then trailed her around the floor by the hair and grabbed her hair ripping a large amount out. It is further alleged the defendant tried to pull the complainant’s trousers down, causing them to rip at the pockets, and she believed that he was trying to fully rip them off,” said the officer.

"The complainant alleges the defendant then put a knife to her throat.

"It is alleged that the defendant threatened to ‘stiff’ the woman and family members. The woman has fought back and the defendant allegedly went upstairs into the rooms looking for her partner,” the officer told the court.

Geddis contacted police on November 26 and was arrested. He denied the allegations claiming ‘he was at the address purchasing drugs’.

District Judge Michael Ranaghan asked if the complainant made a statement, which she has. He asked if the complainant has a criminal record for drugs. The officer said: “I believe so.”

Police objected to bail due to the ‘high likelihood of reoffending’ adding Geddis had breached court bail on 17 previous occasions and has five previous bench warrants plus has 156 previous convictions.

The officer said Geddis was given compassionate bail last February and, on return to prison, an object wrapped in clear plastic has fallen out from his buttocks. Geddis was released from prison on June 3 this year.

Geddis’ barrister, Mr Conor Lunny, said there wasn’t much he could say about his client’s record, however his client is ‘content’ to give up his Housing Executive house to be under Probation Services hostel roster.

“Obviously the state won’t pay for both. It’s an attempt to rehabilitate this man from almost a lifelong addiction,” said Mr Lunny, adding his client is addicted to crack cocaine.

District Judge Michael Ranaghan refused bail on the basis of potential further offending and failing to comply with conditions.

The case was adjourned to January 9, 2026.