A 22-year-old man has appeared in court in relation to horrific domestic abuse allegations against his pregnant partner, whom he is accused of repeatedly punching in the stomach while wanting to “rip the baby out”.
Jordan Elliott, from Bohevney Lane, Enniskillen, is charged with kidnapping and falsely imprisoning the complainant, strangling her on three separate occasions, causing actual bodily harm, engaging in abusive behaviour and dangerous driving.
Offending allegedly occurred between September 27 and 29.
A detective constable told Omagh Magistrates Court the charges could be connected.
She explained police attended the South West Acute Hospital (SWAH) where the complainant was being monitored due to being 26 weeks pregnant, having disclosed a series of assaults.
The court heard Elliott arrived in from work on September 27 and there was a disagreement and the complainant suggested they separate.
This angered Elliott, who allegedly pushed her repeatedly and then grabbed her by the neck, before holding her nose closed with one hand and covering her mouth with the other.
Matters calmed but Elliott then allegedly approached in a rage, punching and slapping her in the stomach with both hands, multiple times shouting that he wanted to “rip the baby out of her stomach and take it away".
The court heard the terrified woman was screaming and believed she was going to die.
He told her to be quiet and covered her mouth again, but she punched him and broke free.
Elliott allegedly then punched her repeatedly to the head, shouting she was “nothing but a manipulator and if she left him no one would believe her if she told them what happened".
The next morning the complainant quietly phoned her father who told her to go to her grandmother’s home nearby and he would meet her there.
She set out on the short walk but realised Elliott was driving towards her and ran to the nearest house, but it was claimed he dragged her into the back of his car and drove off.
Telling her “this is the end”, the court heard he drove at high speed, then slammed on the brakes.
He took her phone from her and then suddenly began acting completely normally, pretending nothing had happened.
Eventually, he gave her back her phone and she discreetly managed to let her father know where she was, who took her to the hospital.
Elliott was arrested and denied all allegations put to him; however, he admitted there had been an altercation, in which he said he was the victim and had “backhanded” her in self-defence.
The complainant sustained significant bruising to her face, leg, both arms and under her eyes while the baby appeared to be unharmed, it was heard.
Objecting to bail, the detective pointed to a risk of reoffending and interference with the complainant as: “There are very serious allegations and she is highly vulnerable due to her pregnancy.
"This was sustained domestic violence, including strangulation and direct punches to her stomach area, which is worrying in itself but extremely concerning while she’s pregnant.
"She has made a 17-page statement and sets out further incidents starting in March.”
A defence barrister said Elliott has no previous convictions and: “The relationship is over. He has no intention of having any contact with [complainant] whatsoever. Any bail conditions would be fully adhered to."
However, Deputy District Judge John Connolly refused bail, stating: “This case should certainly go to Crown Court, given the gravity of these allegations."
He continued: "I have very serious concerns about the safety and well-being not only of the complainant but also the unborn child.
"I don’t think there are any conditions to allay those concerns. This bears all the hallmarks of coercive control.”
Elliott will appear again by videolink at Enniskillen Magistrates Court on October 21.
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