Kieran Foster faces charges of domestic abuse, including holding a gun to a woman’s head. The case is now headed to Crown Court.
Foster is from Hillhead, Stewartstown. He is charged with abusive behavior from June 2022. This behavior likely caused harm, which could be physical or mental.
Between March and December 2023, he allegedly hurt her four times. He is also accused of a lesser assault in January 2024.
In March 2024, Foster had weapons, including a baseball bat and a firearm. He intended to cause harm and wanted her to believe violence was coming. On March 10, 2024, Foster possessed cocaine and cannabis.
A police officer spoke about a report from the NI Housing Executive. The report stated that the woman needed emergency housing. She said she needed that placement, and officers talked to her.
She denied any assault at first. However, a relative said Foster beat her feet with a bat, according to the relative’s statement to police. Police saw bruising on her feet and she claimed she fell, appearing panicked to the officers.
Officers thought her story did not match her injuries, as they appeared rather inconsistent. Four days later, a social worker reported something more from Antrim Area Hospital. The woman said Foster assaulted her, and she called him her ex-partner.
She said he hit her with a bat and she also had cigarette burns. Hospital staff worried about her, prompting police to speak to her again. This time, she told them even more, claiming he held a gun to her head and added details about more serious incidents than before.
She claimed he smashed a mug against a wall in early 2023. Shards cut she and her spouse’s feet and hands. At Christmas 2023, he allegedly hit her face, causing swelling and a split lip.
Over the next months, more abuse occurred. He stomped on her foot, bit her shoulder and arm, and hit her mouth. Before his arrest, he allegedly hit her legs, back, and feet with a baseball bat. He left home, then came again soon and pointed a gun at her head; she reported that the trigger clicked.
She also reported mental abuse. Foster called her names, saying no one cared for her and she was only good for sex. He also said she could not hold a job and called her a stupid girl.
Police arrested him. He gave a short statement, and then refused to answer questions, according to police observations. The officer was questioned and said police found a bat, but they did not find a gun. The officer also said Foster implied her injuries may have been self-inflicted.
Bail was denied at first, but the High Court later granted it. A lawyer spoke in court at Dungannon Magistrates Court, stating that the case will go to trial as an indictment trial.
Judge Francis Rafferty made a decision. Foster remains on bail for now, and he must come back on April 2 for a hearing. He will likely be sent for trial then.