Northern Ireland

Man allegedly pushed ex-partner into moving bus, court is told

A man allegedly pushed his ex-partner into a moving bus in east Belfast, a court has heard.

Graham Watson, 41, is accused of carrying out the attack after repeatedly defying a prohibition on harassing the woman.

He appeared at the city's Magistrates Court charged with attempting to cause grievous bodily harm with intent.

Watson, with an address at The Mount in Belfast, faces further counts of common assault and four breaches of a restraining order.

He was arrested yesterday following several previous unsuccessful attempts to detain him, according to the PSNI.

His ex-partner told police that he attended her home on June 19 this year and began banging on the door, despite being barred from pestering her.

Officers viewed a video she recorded of the alleged incident.

Just over a week later Watson attacked the woman at Castlereagh Street in the city, it was claimed.

A witness alleged that he saw her being knocked to the ground by a punch to the face.

In a further incident on June 30, the woman claimed Watson had struck her twice during an encounter at the same location.

"(She) alleged that Graham had pushed her into the side of a moving bus," PSNI officer told the court.

"An independent witness (also) observed her being pushed into the side of a bus."

Later that night the woman called for an ambulance, stating that she had been assaulted and was dizzy and vomiting.

Defence barrister Richard McConkey argued that the restraining order was never properly served on his client.

Counsel also disputed the identification evidence, insisting there is no independent corroboration of the alleged assaults by anyone who knows Watson.

Watson was remanded in custody until September 20.