Man accused of unlawful imprisonment and non-fatal strangulation denied bail at Derry court

Mark Ellis (39) of Herron Way in Derry was charged with, on September 16, assault, unlawful imprisonment and non-fatal strangulation.

During Friday’s sitting of the Magistrate’s Court in Derry, court was told that the alleged injured party in the case called police initially to report that she had been assaulted.

She told police that Ellis had woken her at 1am in the morning and was shouting and roaring as he believed it to be 1pm in the afternoon.

She told police that she believes drugs were involved, and also said that she had tried to calm Ellis down but that this proved to be unsuccessful.

When that didn't work, it is alleged that she tried to leave but Ellis was said to have stopped her, allegedly threatening to punch her and grabbing her by the throat.

When interviewed, Ellis admitted to taking drugs, and he told police that he had a limited memory of the incident.

A representative from the Police Service of Northern Ireland told the court that they objected to bail as Ellis has 62 previous convictions, including 16 for violent offences.

Police also told the court that Ellis also has 30 previous breaches of bail.

Defence Barrister Thomas McKeever admitted that this was a 'difficult' bail application, telling the court that Ellis had been addicted to drugs for years but has successfully weaned himself off heroin a few years ago.

Bail was refused and he will appear again on October 15.