A man has been remanded in custody at Derry Magistrate’s Court charged in connection with the stabbing of a woman on Saturday.
50-year-old Gerald Coyle of Moss Park in Derry faced a series of charges including malicious wounding of a female, possessing a knife with intent to cause grievous bodily harm, assault on a female occasioning actual bodily harm and assault.
A police officer connected the accused to the charges and opposed bail.
The court was told police were called to a report of a woman being stabbed at around 3.30pm on Saturday, December 27th.
They spoke to a woman who was covered in blood, who said she had been drinking with her partner Coyle, when he ‘lost it’ and started throwing the Christmas tree around
She said he then grabbed a knife and attacked her, causing wounds to her head and hands.
Coyle was then said to have chased two other men who came to the house and then walked topless down the street covered in blood.
He was alleged to have shouted at a pregnant woman ‘Do you want some too?’ and then run at her before being restrained.
The court heard the defendant has 66 previous convictions some for ‘very violent ‘ offences.
Coyle’s solicitor said his client claimed he had had a ‘mental health episode’ at the time and had no intention of hurting anyone.
Deputy District Judge Connolly said this must have been ‘a terrifying ordeal’ and refused bail.
Coyle was remanded in custody to appear again on January 22nd.
