Man appears in Newry court charged with rape and threats to kill

By Donal McMahon

Bail has been refused for a 38-year-old Lithuanian man charged with rape and making threats to kill a woman who responded to an advert for work in Northern Ireland.

Silinskas Andrius (38) of Tullyvallen Fold, Castleblaney Street, Newtownhamilton, is further charged with digital penetration, choking, assault and breach of a UK deportation order on August 15. 

The tall defendant, wearing a grey track suit, through an interrupter said he understood the charges.

A PSNI detective constable told Newry magistrates that she could connect the accused to the offences.

The court heard that a naked and distressed alleged female injured party alerted a third party on the street to the said incident after escaping from a Co Armagh house.

Prosecution outlining the case, described how the woman had caught a flight to Northern Ireland after responding to an advert for work. It was unknown at this time which airport she had arrived to.

Detective Constable Thompson, said the female met an intoxicated Mr Andrius at the airport and was then taken to his place of residence where he continued to drink alcohol.

“He intimated that he wanted to have sex, but the woman told him ‘no’,” said the officer.

“He then made a threat to kill her and then pulled her upstairs. He then assaulted her, slapped her on the face and raped her, digitally penetrated her and then left to go downstairs."

“The injured party then went downstairs and ran outside through the back door. She was naked at the time and climbed over a metal fence on to the street, where she was able to get someone to contact the police."

“Police attended the address a short time later where the defendant was identified standing outside his home. He was arrested and during interview denied having any sexual contact with the woman,” added the detective. 

The court was told that the accused was also in breach of a UK deportation order made by Norfolk police in 2017. The defendant had travelled from Germany to Dublin and made his way North where he has stayed and worked for the last four to five months. 

Prosecution objected to a bail application through fear of flight and risk of re-offending.

A forensic DNA report and interview with the alleged injured party are due next week

Defence said his client, who denies all the charges, had “mistakenly” breached the UK deportation order as he had travelled into Dublin before moving just north of the border.

The barrister added that the defendant could adhere to strict bail conditions including a tag and the surrender of his passport.

District judge Paul Copeland refused the application.

“I am satisfied that this accused is totally unsuitable to be released on bail for the reasons that have been manifold in court,” said Mr Copeland.

“The potential for a rape conviction could encourage the defendant to abscond,” added the judge.

The case was adjourned to a later date this month with the accused remanded into custody.