Rape Accused 'Gave Victim's Phone To Girlfriend'

An alleged rapist stole his victim's mobile phone and gave it to his girlfriend as a gift, the High Court has heard.

Prosecutors said the woman was sexually assaulted in a car in Newry after accepting a lift home. Padraig O'Callaghan, 21, of Monog Road, Crossmaglen, denies rape, false imprisonment and stealing the anonymous victim’s purse, bank cards, £100 in cash and a phone.

The court heard that the alleged rape happened in the back of a car last December, after the woman accepted a lift from two men because one of them knew her name.

A prosecution lawyer said Mr O'Callaghan drove the car but stopped it several times to rape the woman in the back seat, throw her out into Stream Street, drive her off again when she came back for her possessions, and throw her handbag into the street minus its contents.

Mr O'Callaghan’s DNA matched swabs taken from the woman, according to the prosecution.

Mr O'Callaghan initially denied having sex with the woman but then said they had had consensual sex.

The passenger in the car, who allegedly left the vehicle several times during the attack, backed the accused's version of events.

But Mr Justice McLaughlin questioned his sources of knowledge, saying: "How does he know? Was he dogging, having a wee duke through the door window while they were doing it?”

He refused bail to the accused.

(NE)