Northern Ireland

This is the Co Down octogenarian alleged to have subjected his cancer-suffering 84-year-old partner to savage, two-hour beating

Fedor Harvey (86) is alleged to have subjected his cancer suffering partner to a savage, two-hour beating
Fedor Harvey (86) is alleged to have subjected his cancer suffering partner to a savage, two-hour beating Fedor Harvey (86) is alleged to have subjected his cancer suffering partner to a savage, two-hour beating

AN 86-year-old man, alleged to have subjected his cancer suffering octogenarian partner to a savage, two-hour beating after she "asked to hold his hand", has had his case adjourned.

During a brief hearing at Newtownards Magistrates Court yesterday, a prosecuting lawyer told the court she was seeking a four-week adjournment as the "full file... (was) expected by 10 May".

Mr Stewart, formerly from the Old Belfast Road in Bangor, who is bailed to live at Church Lane in Donaghadee, faces charges of inflicting actual bodily harm and attempting to choke, suffocate or strangle the 84-year-old alleged victim.

When he was initially charged last month, the court heard claims that he subjected his partner, a cancer patient, to a two-hour beating after she asked to hold his hand.

He is alleged to have told police "I did it. Look at my fists - they are damaged - it was me, I did it. If she had not annoyed me I wouldn't have had to discolour her face."

The earlier court also heard he told his GP he had "continually punched the woman in an attack that lasted over two hours".

Freeing Stewart on continuing bail, Deputy District Judge Brian Archer ordered him to appear again on 23 May, telling the defendant "hopefully there will be progress by that stage".