Man accused of raping a teenager

Michael Patrick Doherty, of Ballyarnett Village, faces one charge of rape relating to an alleged incident on November 8.

An investigating officer told Derry Magistrates Court she believed she could connect Doherty to the charge.

A bail application was opposed by police.

The court heard allegations that the 15-year-old boy was along with two friends on Saturday evening. He became separated from them and went to Doherty’s ex-girlfriend’s house to get a cigarette.

It is alleged the 40-year-old was in the house and gave the teenager three or four shots of Jagermeister.

The court heard Doherty’s ex-girlfriend was ‘concerned about the injured party being in the company of the defendant’ and the teen left the house.

He met up with friends again and they allegedly met Doherty later on that evening.

It was claimed the 40-year-old was ‘very drunk and acting very aggressive towards the boys’.

He allegedly became involved in a ‘tussle’ with one of them and the injured party walked away with Doherty to calm the situation.

The 40-year-old allegedly made a threat to rape the teenager before grabbing him by the hair and putting his penis into his mouth.

During police interview, Doherty said he could recall the injured party coming to his ex-girlfriend’s house but had no recollection of what happened later on in the evening.

Opposing bail, an investigating officer said police have concerns the 40-year-old would try to interfere with witnesses.

The officer said there is also a risk of reprisals because of the nature of the offence, however she added there is no specific threat against the 40-year-old.

Defence counsel Nicola Coulter said her client does not have a relevant criminal record and would abide by any bail conditions necessary.

District Judge Barney McElholm released Doherty on his own bail of £1,000, with a cash surety of £1,000, to reside at an address in London. The 40-year-old is also banned from contacting the injured party or any witnesses, banned from consuming alcohol ordered to sign bail once a week.

He is allso banned from entering Northern Ireland unless ordered to by the court. The case will be mentioned again on December 4 in the absence of the defendant.