Northern Ireland

Man accused of rape has bail refused again

An Iranian national accused of raping a woman in Belfast city centre has had his bail refused again
An Iranian national accused of raping a woman in Belfast city centre has had his bail refused again An Iranian national accused of raping a woman in Belfast city centre has had his bail refused again

A MAN accused of raping a woman in Belfast city centre within minutes of meeting her has failed again to be released from custody.

Marko Dolhir was refused bail yesterday despite defence claims that CCTV footage contradicted police assertions about the alleged attack in an alleyway at Little May Street.

The 19-year-old Iranian national, with an address at Sandringham Drive in Leeds, faces charges of rape, attempted rape and sexual assault over the incident on November 25.

Dolhir denies the allegations, insisting any contact was consensual.

At his first appearance before Belfast Magistrates' Court earlier this month, an investigating detective claimed he had waited in the area for up to an hour for a "vulnerable" female.

She alleged that within two minutes of meeting the woman he pulled her into an alleyway.

The police case is based on CCTV footage used to identify Dolhir.

Bail was initially denied due to the suspected predatory nature of the alleged rape, according to the judge.

But Dolhir's lawyers had the application re-assessed amid conflicting interpretations of what the CCTV recordings depict.

Defence solicitor Brendan Blaney argued that the footage only showed his client walking in the general area.

However, police maintained their interpretation of his alleged behaviour.

Reaffirming her previous refusal of bail, District Judge Fiona Bagnall cited potential risks in releasing the accused.

Dolhir, who was remanded back into custody to appear again next month, may now appeal the decision to the High Court.