A 27-year-old man awaiting sentence on domestic violence offences has been refused bail after concerns were raised regarding his grandparents' health.
Stephen Jonathan Brown has been housed in Maghaberry prison since his arrest last March following an attack on his ex-partner.
He is awaiting sentence on three charges including assault occasioning actual bodily harm and false imprisonment.
A bail application was made on behalf of Brown at Belfast Crown Court by his barrister Luke Curran.
Mr Curran put forward Brown's grandparents' home as a bail address.
Saying "the family are a unit", Mr Curran said both grandparents had expressed a wish to assist and support their grandson, adding that Brown "lived there for quite a period of time before jail."
Mr Curran said it was accepted the domestic incident he is awaiting sentence for was "terrifying" but said client has been in custody "in excess of a year", which is the equivalent of a two-year sentence.
He also said during the current lockdown situation, Brown's grandfather "feels it would be better having him home, where he can assist them."
Addressing the issue of the Covid-19 crisis, Crown barrister Kate McKay expressed concerns about Brown leaving a prison environment and staying with "two vulnerable people living alone together".
Opposing bail, she also described the domestic offences as "very serious" and said Brown had breached bail in the past.
Judge David McFarland said both Brown's grandfather and grandmother had serious underlying health issues.
The Belfast Recorder also raised concerns about a previous alleged assault against the grandfather, as well as Brown's "general history in relation to offending."
He said that under the circumstances the bail address was unsuitable, and refused the application.