Man wrestled woman to the ground in ‘disturbing’ daylight sexual assault at Newtownards car park, court hears

A man appeared in court charged with two counts of sexual assault on a 59-year-old woman

A man reportedly wrestled a woman to the ground in a Newtownards car park during a “disturbing” daylight sexual assault, a court heard today.

A man in his 20s from Northern Ireland, who cannot be named due to reporting restrictions imposed on the case, appeared at Newtownards Magistrates Court on Tuesday, August 26, after being charged with two counts of sexual assault following an incident in Talbot Street car park in the Co Down town.

The court heard that the victim, a 59-year-old woman, had been getting into her car when she was approached by a man with curly hair in a bun, jeans and black backpack who wrestled her to the ground before putting his hand up her top and groping her. He is then reported to have penetrated her with his finger before fleeing the scene.

The court heard that the man, who appeared in court in handcuffs wearing a grey tracksuit, was detained by members of the public nearby who called the police.

The court heard that in his first police interview, the man made no reply to the allegations, but in a second interview he was more forthcoming and appeared to admit them. In a third interview he later admitted the allegations but was not able to explain his actions to police.

While discussing bail for the man, the court heard that his charges were “rape and as serious as it gets”.

He was remanded in custody by the judge who said that he was accused of a “disturbing random attack on a complete stranger” and he is due to appear in court again via video link on September 17.

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