Court told man threatened to chop up partner

Police claimed William McCabe, 42, attacked the woman at the weekend amid unfounded accusations of infidelity.

McCabe, of Weavers Grange in Newtownards, Co Down, faces charges of threats to kill and to damage property, possessing an offensive weapon, false imprisonment and common assault.

He was arrested after his partner made a 999 call early on Sunday morning.

Newtownards Magistrates’ Court, sitting in Belfast, heard McCabe had accused her of cheating on him.

A PSNI officer said the woman claimed he trailed her around a bedroom by her hair, threatening to burn her car and her parents’ property.

“She alleged the defendant put a coat over her head and said he would chop her up and put her in a body bag,” the officer stated.

McCabe had a long, sharp machete in his hand as the threats were made, it was claimed.

District Judge George Conner was told the woman contacted police after fleeing from the house. A large machete-type blade was seized during subsequent searches.

Opposing McCabe’s application for bail, the officer said: “The injured party is petrified of the defendant.”

Defence lawyer Patrick Higgins argued that the woman had refused to make a statement of complaint and contacted police in a bid to secure the release of her partner of 16 years.

“She stated that she had blown the matter out of proportion and had been consuming alcohol herself,” the solicitor said.

With no other witnesses in the case, Mr Higgins contended: “There is no realistic prospect of conviction.”

Bail was refused, however, due to the potential risks of further offences and interference with the investigation.

Judge Conner remanded McCabe in custody to appear again by video-link later this week.