Northern Ireland

Man allegedly kicked wife and broke her nose

Benjamin Lewis (30) is accused of attacking his wife in the street
Benjamin Lewis (30) is accused of attacking his wife in the street Benjamin Lewis (30) is accused of attacking his wife in the street

A DERRY man allegedly kicked his wife to the head and broke her nose after being told she wanted to end their marriage.

Benjamin Lewis (30) is accused of attacking her in the street as she returned home from dropping children at school.

Lewis, of Buncrana Road in the city, faces charges of assault occasioning actual bodily harm and criminal damage to his estranged wife's phone.

During a bail application prosecution counsel Mark Conlon said the woman was taken to hospital after police were called to the scene on December 17 last year.

In an initial account she claimed to have informed Lewis the previous night that she wanted to end their relationship.

He then allegedly followed his wife as she walked home from school that morning, grabbing her by the hair when she tried to run.

According to the prosecution Lewis then punched, kneed and tried to strangle the woman.

"A neighbour heard the commotion, came outside and observed the applicant kick his partner to the head," Mr Conlon contended.

"X-rays were taken, showing an apparent broken nose, along with bruising and swelling to the complainant's face."

Following his arrest Lewis told police she had angrily grabbed him by the throat.

He accepted smashing her phone on the ground before walking away, the court heard, but denied any assault by kicking her to the head.

Lewis was granted bail on strict terms aimed at ensuring no contact between them.

Imposing a further condition, Mr Justice Huddleston directed: "He is to continue with therapeutic interventions."