Man denies attacking 82-year-old

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A Londonderry man has appeared in court charged with unlawfully imprisoning and robbing an 82-year-old woman in the city on Wednesday.

Thomas Anthony Samuel Burke, 49, from Eglinton Terrace, who denies the charges, was remanded in custody.

The court was told he has 98 previous convictions, including three for rape, five for kidnapping and one for indecent assault.

The alleged incident happened in the Laurence Hill area of Derry.

The defendant, who was placed on the sex offenders register in 2003 until 2059, is alleged to have committed the offences on Wednesday when out on license from prison.

A detective constable, objecting to bail, said the defendant entered the elderly women's house shortly after 2030 BST.

He said the defendant grabbed the woman by the throat and dragged her around the house.

The woman struggled and managed to break free and attempted to escape but the defendant chased her and again put his arm around her throat and pulled her away from the front door, the detective added.

The defendant was remanded in custody until 11 June.

District Judge Barney McIlholm said the defendant had an horrific record and if convicted of these offences he faced an indeterminate period of imprisonment.