bail refused | 

Dad of two allegedly knocked his ex’s tooth out after she accused him of cheating

According to gardai, Jamie Saunders (32) became violent and threatened to rape officers’ partners when he was arrested.

Yesterday at 13:25

A FATHER-of-two punched his then-girlfriend in the face, knocking out a front tooth after she accused him of cheating on her, it is alleged.

According to gardai, Jamie Saunders (32) became violent and threatened to rape officers’ partners when he was arrested.

Judge David McHugh refused to grant him bail and remanded him in custody when he appeared in Blanchardstown District Court.

Saunders, of Shelerin Road, Clonsilla, Dublin is charged with assault causing harm to the woman at her home in Hartstown on May 12 and 13 this year, as well as threatening to kill or cause serious harm to her.

He is also charged with threatening, abusive and insulting behaviour at the woman’s address on May 13 and threatening to kill or cause serious harm to Garda Damien Greene at Blanchardstown garda station on May 14.

Objecting to bail, Gda Greene cited the nature and seriousness of the allegations. He said when he met the complainant, she had a large split on her lip and a missing front tooth.

She told him she had tried to speak to the accused about a suspicion she had that he was cheating on her. She alleged he became very aggressive and punched her in the face, causing significant injury.

The accused was hiding in a van when gardai arrived and refused to come out so they forced entry to the vehicle, Gda Greene said. Mr Saunders was volatile and “actively resisted” arrest, he said.

When he was handcuffed and placed on the ground he threatened to rape the partners of the gardai and tried to bite and headbutt them, it was alleged.

The accused said he was going to kill the complainant, in a message sent to her sister, the garda said.

The garda said further charges were being considered and he would have “grave concerns” if the accused were granted bail.

In evidence at the bail hearing, the alleged victim said of the accused she had “found out he was cheating” and when she approached him about it, he became “very violent” and “swung for me.”

“He split my lip and knocked my front tooth out,” she said.

She alleged in another incident, he threatened he would scald her if she “didn’t shut up” and poured a cup of tea over her legs.

She said she feared for her life and could not return to work because he knew where she worked.

Applying for bail, defence solicitor Mervyn Harnett said the accused was presumed innocent and was prepared to abide by conditions.

He said Mr Saunders, who had a new partner, had not approached the complainant since the alleged incident.