A man who was not placed on bail ahead of appearing in court on allegations of multiple rapes, kidnap and false imprisonment has been charged with intimidating the complainant.

Seamus Quinn (64), from Aghaherrish Road, Enniskillen, is accused of 23 charges comprising seven counts of rape, two sexual assaults, two of kidnapping, three false imprisonment, and four of administering a noxious substance to injure or aggrieve.

There are also two counts each of assault and administering a substance to commit a sexual offence, as well as a single count of threatening to kill.

Offending is alleged to have occurred on dates between October 21 and 27, 2019.

While Quinn is scheduled for a committal hearing next week, he appeared at Omagh Magistrates Court on Tuesday, November 1, charged with intimidation to obstruct or pervert the course of justice.

A detective constable from the PSNI Public Protection Unit confirmed the charge could be connected.

He explained the complainant contacted police on October 29, after receiving a four-page letter from Quinn which she felt was an attempt to have her drop the charges, and left her feeling unsafe in her own home, the court heard.

Quinn refused legal representation, informing the court he had dispensed with his solicitor’s services as “I’ve told him I’ve finished with him because I’ve been trying to prove my innocence for three years”.

When District Judge Alan White enquired if the contact breached bail, he was advised that while Quinn is facing charges, they are by indictable summons, with the first appearance being the committal hearing.

He is not therefore subject to any bail conditions, although these would have come into effect when returned for trial.

Bail could only apply if police had charged him, as opposed to reporting the matter to the Public Prosecution Service for decision.

Given the pending case, Judge White asked Quinn: “Why are you writing to the injured party asking her to withdraw the charges?”

Quinn replied: “I didn’t. I asked her to tell the truth.”

At his request, sections of the letter were disclosed, which read: “I’m writing to ask why you told lies to the police. You know I never harmed you in any way.

“I never had an argument with you, not even a harsh word, so what did I do to end up in court looking at a long jail sentence ... I’m asking you to stop and think what you’re doing and to do the right thing and stop this court case. What can you gain from lying about me?”

The letter continued: “Go to the police with this if you wish. Even the police know you’re lying about everything. This broken record of repeating yourself over and over again of no truth ... Your lies brought this to where it is today.”

Judge White remarked: “It doesn’t actually contain any threats. It’s repetition of his denial of the offences. He wasn’t on bail, but the court is in a position to set conditions preventing contact.”

While the detective agreed, he urged the court to order residence outside Enniskillen, but Quinn stated: “I have nowhere else to live other than my house.”

Judge White said this was difficult, but ordered Quinn not to come within 800 metres of the complainant’s home.

Bail was set at £500, with a ban on contacting the complainant, a curfew from 10pm to 7am, and weekly signing with police.

The case was adjourned to Enniskillen Magistrates Court on November 7, when it is expected Quinn will be returned for trial.