£750 bail for man accused of rape

A 35-year-old Newry man accused of raping and threatening to kill a teenager with a severe mental handicap, who became pregnant, has been released by Armagh Crown Court on bail totalling £750. Mr Justice Pringle was told that tests to determine paternity showed the accused man was 900 times more likely to be the baby's father than another man. He is accused of committing the offences against the 18year-old in May last year and faces a further charge of unlawful sexual intercourse with a woman suffering from a severe mental handicap. He was ordered to reside in a Belfast care and support hostel. His case is scheduled for January.