2 days ago
Ex-soldier ‘scaled drainpipe' to get to window of ex's flat, stalking case hears
'harassment' |
The victim said she tried to break up with Hutton but he 'would plead with her and threaten suicide'
Daniel Hutton
Limavady Magistrates Court, sitting in Coleraine, also heard that within 24 hours of being granted police bail, Daniel Hutton breached the conditions by contacting his ex-partner.
Hutton, from Greenview Way in Antrim, appeared in court charged with three offences, including non-fatal strangulation, stalking and domestic abuse, alleged to have been committed over a time span between 1 June 2023 and 16 June 2025.
A police officer outlined how the complainant had told police on 30 May 'she was having ongoing issues with her ex-partner, the defendant, as he was harassing and following her.'
The court heard allegations that the previous day, Hutton had pulled in behind his ex when she parked outside a pharmacy, blocking her in and he 'shouted out the window at her.'
The complainant had outlined to police how Hutton 'was aggressive, particularly when he had been drinking, and that he had assaulted her multiple times' during the course of their relationship.
She had tried to break up with Hutton but he 'would plead with her and threaten suicide,' a threat the victim particularly difficult to cope with as her sister had sadly taken her own life.
According to the alleged victim, there had been an incident in August last year when, during a fight with Hutton, he 'sat on top of her with both hands around her neck and she was struggling to breathe.'
Part of the alleged abuse, said the officer, related to Hutton bombarding his ex with missed calls and WhatsApp messages, including 'hundreds of missed calls' despite the woman repeatedly asking him to stop contacting her.
Other instances related to him using the intercom to call at her first floor flat and the officer recounted one occasion, when the victim was in her living room and she heard a noise at the window.
On opening the curtains, she was confronted by Hutton holding on to the drain pipe he had climbed up.
Hutton was arrested by arrangement on 11 June and he was freed on police bail on condition that he had no contact with his ex.
The very next day however, 'she reported to police that he was continuing to make unwanted contact with her.'
He was rearrested and charged on 17 June and objecting to bail, the constable said the police were concerned about further offending and further bail breaches should Hutton be released.
'The defendant is flagged as a serial perpetrator of domestic violence,' said the officer, revealed that Hutton has previous offences committed against four other women.
The court heard that after Hutton was charged, he declared: 'Took her a year to f****** press charges - load of s***.'
Revealing that Hutton is a former soldier who had served tours in Afghanistan and has a potential diagnosis of PTSD, defence counsel Grant Powles highlighted that given the severity of the charges, the case will likely go to the Crown Court.
'That will take some time,' he told the court, submitting that with a proposed bail address in Crumlin, that Hutton could granted bail subject to strict conditions.
District Judge Peter King agreed the case warranted a Crown Court disposal where, if Hutton is convicted, 'the likely sentence will be years rather than months.'
'These offences are striking,' declared the judge, emphasising that Hutton's determination was evidence given the allegation that he 'scaled a drain pipe.'
He disagreed however that Hutton was a suitable candidate for bail given that he had proven, in less than 24 hours of being granted police bail, that he could not adhere to conditions.
Remanding Hutton into custody, he adjourned the case to 8 July.
