Lawyers for a woman “under threat from North Down UDA” are set to serve a county court injunction on loyalist Dee Stitt, a judge has heard.
Defence solicitor Patrick Higgins also told District Judge Francis Rafferty that his client, 32-year-old Hannah Marshall, is entering an “unequivocal not guilty plea” to using disorderly behaviour outside his Bangor home on August 22 this year.
Marshall, whose address is subject of a reporting restriction, was due to be charged with making threats to kill Mr Stitt’s wife Jacqueline and their daughter as well as a charge of attempted criminal damage.
However, a prosecuting lawyer told Newtownards Magistrates Court those three offences were to be withdrawn and replaced with an offence of using disorderly behaviour “within the vicinity of Lord Wardens Court.”
Although the charge was not formally before the court on Tuesday, Mr Higgins indicated that Marshall will be pleading not guilty and when the case comes to trial, the defence “will require Jacqueline Stitt and her neighbour to give evidence.”
In applying for Marshall’s address to be kept private, the solicitor added: “She’s under threat from the North Down UDA and Mr Stitt and she has got a County Court injunction which is yet to be served on Mr Stitt.”
It has been reported that three masked men were recorded calling at her home and warned that she had 24 hours to get out.
Judge Rafferty freed Marshall on bail and adjourned the case to October 22 when she will be formally charged with disorderly behaviour and the case fixed for a contest.