A MAN has appeared in court accused of attacking a woman he met face-to-face for the first time through a social media dating site, accusing her of being a man, brandishing a firearm and threatening to kill her.
In the dock of Dungannon Magistrates Court was Graham Rainey (45) of Ashbeg Grove in the town who is accused of threatening to kill, possessing a firearm with intent to cause fear of violence, assault, possessing drugs, and stealing £80.
The offences are alleged to have occurred in his home on July 6.
Police were called by a friend of the woman who was too distressed to report the matter herself, the court heard.
On later speaking with her, she explained she had met Rainey through the online dating site Plenty of Fish and they corresponded for a time beforehand.
They met when the woman travelled to Rainey's home, where after having food and drink they had consensual sex.
Immediately after this the woman claimed, without warning, Rainey became irate and told her: "You have 10 seconds to get out of here. You're a man. How dare you."
He made reference to having the injured party shot.
Rainey then allegedly rifled through her handbag and when she tried to take it from him, he slapped her face.
As she prepared to leave, she observed Rainey in another room holding a handgun, along with her purse and phone.
Rainey was arrested and a search conducted of his property. No firearm was found but a quantity of cannabis was recovered, which he accepted was for his own use.
During interview he said he had met the woman on the dating website.
He said he went to another room to have a cigarette where he had “a gut feeling something wasn’t right.” He told the woman to leave, claiming she appeared, “surprised and a little disappointed”.
In relation to the purse and mobile phone, Rainey claimed she left them in her haste to get away. He posted them to her home first thing the next morning, providing police with a receipt for this.
District Judge John Meehan granted bail but with strict conditions. Rainey was ordered to reside at his home address, refrain from any contact by any means with the woman, report weekly to police, and abide by a curfew.
He must also not access any social media platforms or any other online dating sites.
The case is due back in court next month.
