Man threatened to kill wife in row over music High Court told

Police went to Mihail Sotirov’s Portstewart home after receiving a distressed and whispered 999 call from his daughter, prosecutors told the court on Thursday

Sotirov (32), who runs a fast-food business in Coleraine, was arrested last Wednesday night.

He faces charges of assaulting and threatening to kill his wife.

A prosecution barrister told a bail hearing that he allegedly grabbed her by the throat and squeezed tightly after returning home.

His wife was said to have had red marks to her neck and been shaking and crying.

It was claimed the argument escalated when she objected to him playing loud music.

Sotirov, with a current address of Waterside, Coleraine, denies making any threats, claiming he pushed his wife after she first shoved him, the court heard.

Andrew Moriarty, defending, said his client employed ten people in his current business. Two of his previous restaurants were burnt out in race-hate crimes, Mr Moriarty told the court.

“He works extremely hard and operates under a lot of pressure,” he said.

According to the barrister his client had finished work, returned home where there had been a birthday party and wanted to spend time dancing with his daughter.

He said: “One can understand why late at night his wife would not be best pleased with music being blared. She did react to it.”

Sotirov was granted bail to stay in the Coleraine area.

Mr Justice Hart banned him from any contact with his wife and from entering Portstewart.