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Woman claimed she was attacked by ex-boyfriend in front of her three-year-old son

The high court in Belfast
The high court in Belfast The high court in Belfast

A WOMAN was allegedly kicked and trailed by the hair in front of her three-year-old son, the High Court heard yesterday.

Prosecutors claimed an ex-boyfriend banged her head off the floor of his Belfast flat during an attack in which she may also have passed out.

The woman was left bloodied, bruised and with a clump of hair missing from her scalp, a judge was told.

Details emerged as alleged assailant David Laffin (36) was granted bail.

Laffin, of Snugville Street in the city, faces charges of assault occasioning actual bodily harm and harassment.

He allegedly attacked her after they had rowed while drinking at his apartment on August 17.

Crown lawyer Kate McKay said the woman left with her young son, but returned to retrieve her mobile phone.

It was claimed that Laffin then pinned her by the throat to a wall as a struggle broke out.

"She believes she may have passed out for a short time," Mrs McKay said.

"The next thing she recalls is being held down on the floor as he punched and kicked at her, and hit her head off the floor by her hair."

The woman managed to break free and head for the door, only to be pulled back again by the hair, according to the prosecution.

Mrs McKay added: "Throughout this the three-year-old child was present."

Laffin, who is not the boy's father, denied the assault allegations, telling police she had pushed him in the face.

During interviews he claimed the woman fell as he tried to usher her out of his home.

The court heard it was Laffin who initially phoned police to report the ongoing dispute.

He had been released on bail, but was returned to custody for allegedly phoning and and sending text messages to the woman last week.

Defence counsel Kelly Doherty said harassment was denied, and argued that the alleged assault involved conflicting accounts.

Granting bail once more, Mr Justice Maguire imposed a ban on Laffin having any electronic device capable of contacting his ex-girlfriend.