Workers 'save woman from beating'

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Staff at a County Tyrone hotel had to rescue a woman whose ex-partner had trapped her in a room and was attacking her, it was alleged in the High Court.

Michael Duddy, 27, of Mulvin Road Strabane also threatened to kill the woman, a Crown lawyer claimed.

The alleged incident took place last Sunday after a party at the Mellon Country Inn, near Omagh.

Granting bail, the judge ordered him to live with a relative in Omagh and banned him from leaving the town.

The court heard the woman had suffered serious face and body injuries including an eye haemorrhage, and was due to undergo surgery on a hand wound.

It was claimed Mr Duddy had grabbed her by the throat, banged her head and punched her to the floor.

"She tried to defend herself by hitting him, but the assault only came to a conclusion when two members of staff at the Country Inn were alerted by her shouts," the prosecution lawyer said.

"They heard her shout 'Help, help, get me out of here'."

When they got into the room they allegedly saw Duddy pinning her down with a hand on her chest, the lawyer added.

Christmas party

Mr Duddy is accused of three charges of assault occasioning actual bodily harm, making threats to kill and false imprisonment following the alleged attack.

His lawyer told the court his client was not a regular drinker but had gone to the hotel with a group for a party and ended up drunk.

"He had been having an enjoyable night, entertaining persons by playing guitar," he said.

"It seems then he discovered his partner with someone else outside the hotel. That seems to have led to a confrontation in the bedroom."

He added that Mr Duddy remembered little about the incident, but claimed to have been hit over the head with a vase by the alleged victim.

"He realises his relationship with her is now finished," the barrister added.

Granting bail, Mr Justice Stephens said the allegations involved a brutal and serious beating.

Mr Duddy was also told to post his own bail of £2,500, find another two sureties totalling £10,000 and have no contact with the alleged victim or her family.