Tyrone man alleged to have ‘put gun to partner’s head’

A STEWARTSTOWN man has been remanded in custody after being accused of serious assault charges spanning two years, including allegedly putting a gun to his partner’s head and pulling the trigger.

Kieran Foster (28), from Hillhead, appeared in the dock at Omagh Magistrates Court for a bail hearing this morning.

Foster is charged with assault causing actual bodily harm, domestic abuse, common assault, possession of cocaine and cannabis, possession of a baseball bat with intent to harm and possession of a gun with intent to cause fear or violence.

After connecting the accused to the charges, a police officer told the court that the Housing Executive received a report on March 4 from the injured party requesting emergency accommodation due to a domestic assault.

The victim alleged that Foster repeatedly beat her with a baseball bat. She was later interviewed by police, however she claimed the bruising that was observed was caused by falling over.

Officers noticed she was panicked when answering the questions, the court heard.

Two days later, police were called after a report came from a social worker at Antrim Hospital about the victim.

The police attended and the victim claimed that Foster had assaulted her multiple times with a baseball bat and had ‘burned cigarettes into her skin’.

The victim further alleged that Foster ‘held a gun to her head’ during one of the assaults and pulled the trigger, with the victim claiming she heard a ‘click’.

On March 9, the injured party made a formal statement to the police, outlining the years of alleged abuse by Foster.

The alleged offending included being hit in the face on Christmas day in 2023, had her foot stamped on by the defendant on January 24 and the assault involving the gun in early March.

Alongside the claims of assault, the charge of domestic abuse was specified as ‘verbal coercion’ through the victim alleging that Foster told her she was ‘only good for sex’, ‘no-one will ever love you’ and ‘you’re a stupid wee girl’ throughout the assaults.

It was noted, however, that the statement given to the police was ‘pre-prepared’ and the injured party responded with ‘no comment’ to the rest of the interview.

The defence counsel asked the police if the alleged weapons were recovered, with the police detective confirming that the bat was located and seized, but the gun had yet to be found.

The defence counsel representing Foster told the court that the 28-year-old had no history of domestic violence and had a ‘short’ criminal record.

It was noted that Foster’s mother had offered her house as a bail address and was willing to accept the responsibility of housing the defendant.

The court heard that his mother said that any conditions imposed would be strictly reinforced and added that, if bail were to be breached, she would revoke the address.

It was further added by the defence counsel that the risk of reoffending and interference could be managed by conditions.

However, deputy district judge Peter Prenter refused bail, describing the alleged offending as ‘too serious’.

Foster will appear again before Dungannon Magistrates Court on April 3.