A Syrian man charged with seriously assaulting his adult daughter has claimed she is “taking advantage” of the freedoms she has from living in Northern Ireland.
Hassan Rajab (52) of Beechmount Street, Belfast is charged with unlawfully and maliciously inflicting grievous bodily harm on his daughter on September 26 and the matter is aggravated by domestic abuse.
A detective constable told a special court sitting in Belfast the charge could be connected.
She explained the daughter arrived home around 9.30pm and was confronted by her father asking where she had been.
An argument ensued in which he pushed the daughter causing her to fall backwards and strike her head which was bleeding heavily. She informed her mother and after a time, began to complain of a sore head, feeling cold and losing the feeling in her hands.
An ambulance was called and the daughter was taken to the Royal Victoria Hospital where she was treated for a hematoma requiring staples.
Rajab was arrested and during interview denied pushing his daughter, initially stating she was the aggressor, before saying: “When things are heated you can sometimes not remember events”.
He went on to say daughter was late and when he asked about this she became “loud and shouting” during which she slipped on the ceramic tiles and fell, striking her head.
However, he disputed knowing she was injured as she got up and ran upstairs.
Rajab told police she “holds a grudge” as she brought a cat home a few years ago and he got rid of it.
He also claimed she is “taking advantage of the fact that she knows that she has more rights in Northern Ireland then she would have in Syria”.
Objecting to bail the detective said: “When charged he wanted to speak to his daughter and wife in order that he could sort this out.
“He also has no other address and he definitely cannot go back home as there are other young people living there.”
A defence solicitor accepted this, however, pointed out attempts are ongoing to find alternative accommodation including a possible option in Bangor.
District Judge Rosalie Prytherch granted bail in the sum of £500, but said: “This is only to an address approved by police and that will have to be very carefully considered.
“There certainly cannot be any young people there.”
Addressing Rajab, she said, “You are to have absolutely no contact whatsoever with your daughter. You can’t speak to her, text her or ask anybody else to do that or get in touch.
“Similarly, you cannot contact your wife or enter the area of your home.”
He responded, “There is nothing wrong between me and my wife”.
The judge replied, “Those are your conditions of bail and if they are breached you will be remanded in custody”.
The case will return to court on October 2, with Rajab appearing by video-link if he has been unable to find an address for release.