Co Down man accused of threatening to kill his family in car crash
A County Down man allegedly threatened to kill his family in a car crash as part of a worsening campaign of child cruelty, the High Court heard today.
Prosecutors claimed he also beat at least two of his daughters so severely they thought he would not stop until they were dead.
The 49-year-old defendant, who cannot be identified, is accused of subjecting his wife and their children to violence and manipulation stretching back over a number of years.
Details emerged as a judge refused his application for bail amid fears he could try to contact them again.
The man faces multiple charges of threats to kill, common assault, child cruelty and a further domestic abuse offence.
He was arrested after the emergency services were contacted in March this year. “The fear during the 999 call was palpable,” Crown counsel said.
In a series of interviews the complainants alleged he had warned them not to tell anyone about their homelife.
“The applicant’s children said the abuse was getting worse, to the point that at one stage he stated he was going to kill them all in a crash and began driving erratically,” the prosecuting barrister disclosed.
“He then began beating them, during which they believed he would not stop until they were dead.”
Although one girl was said to be too terrified to engage with detectives, her sisters alleged the assault only ended when their brother intervened.
Opposing bail, counsel said relatives of the man have repeatedly contacted his wife in a bid to get her to drop the complaint.
Despite blocking their calls, his cousin caused further fear by attending the family’s home unannounced.
The defendant also claimed to be dying while in custody and requested to see his children one last time, the court heard,
“This was another attempt to put pressure on very vulnerable witnesses to withdraw their allegations… an example of extreme manipulation,” the barrister submitted.
Michael Boyd, defending, responded that his client has a genuine heart issue but never intended to imply he was dying.
Arguing the man should be released due to potential delays in the case, Mr Boyd suggested he could go back to running his business without encountering his family.
Mrs Justice Smith was also told how the accused continued to support his wife by paying £2,000 a month into her bank account.
“That is inconsistent with the allegation that she was being financially controlled,” Mr Boyd added.
Bail was denied, however, based on the risk of interference with witnesses.
With some relatives of the defendant present in court, the judge warned them about the consequences if they try to contact or intimidate the alleged victims.
She declared: “You can expect to be remanded into custody, and if it comes before me I will make sure you stay (there).”