Man charged with sexual assault after incident outside park

A 30-year-old man who has appeared in Lisburn Magistrates' Court charged with sexual assault has been refused bail.

Dean Martin with an address in Wood Lane, Lurgan spoke only to confirm he understood the charges against him.

The court was told that on 18 November, just before 08:00 GMT, a woman was getting into her car outside Lurgan Park , when a man that she did not know started pulling her leg and touching her genital area.

Police told the court that the victim hit and kicked her attacker and he eventually ran off.

The victim said her attacker had a small mole on the side of his face and was wearing a black puffer jacket and red and black trainers.

Police told the court that a family member of Mr Martin told officers that they observed Dean Martin was wearing similar clothing on the day of the attack.

Following an appeal on social media police say a number of people came forward identifying Mr Martin as a suspect.

The court heard that police arrested Mr Martin on Friday 21 November and when the charges were put to him , he told police: "Are you joking? "

The court heard that items were found at Mr Martin's address that matched the description of the clothing given by the victim – including a black puffer-style jacket and red and black trainers.

The accused was brought to custody in Lurgan and told officers on the day of the attack he was wearing jeans and a coat and was at his father's.

The accused also denied he had a mole on his face and said members of the local community did not like him and were trying to frame him to get him out of the area.

Police told the court they objected to bail because the accused had no suitable bail address.

The court also heard Mr Martin said he may be attacked by loyalist paramilitaries if he returned to the Lurgan area.

Police told the court they had no intelligence in relation to this matter.

Mr Martin's legal team said the defendant should be granted bail given that he has an alibi that could be backed up with phone logs at the time of the attack. The court also heard and that Mr Martin's father said he could verify his alibi.

His legal team also argued there was nothing distinctive about the clothing found and that it " could appear in lots of people's houses".

Mr Martin's legal representative said: "He is keen to prove his innocence – there is no DNA and this could end up being a long investigation that goes nowhere."

The case is due to be heard again on 19 December.