British soldier on rape charge in North to be granted £1,000 bail

A serving British soldier in Northern Ireland charged with rape has been permitted to bail on £1,000 surety.

Robert Politi (29) originally from Birkenhead, with an address of Thiepval Barracks, Lisburn is further charged with sexual assault by penetration and sexual assault by touching on June 21st, 2020.

The defendant was due to appear via video link before Newry crown court on Tuesday from Maghaberry prison.

The court was told that the accused had previously been held in military custody, but was taken into public prison due to a previous breach of bail.

Defence barrister, Kieran Mallon appealed to the court to reduce a previous court set amount of £5,000 cash surety for his client's bail to one of £1,000.

“His brother has indicated that he will put forward his entire savings of £1,000 for surety, his father due to Covid has been made redundant,” said Mr Mallon.

He enquired if the surety could be lodged by his client's brother from a Liverpool court.

The court acknowledged the query with the process for lodgement to be reviewed.

Judge Paul Ramsay agreed to lower the amount he had set last week, though stated that Mr Politi would need to be reminded of the conditions of his bail.

"Otherwise, the consequences for his brother could be devastating," said Judge Ramsey.

Prosecution barrister, Fiona O’Kane requested that the defendant be told to appear at Newry crown court on Thursday for arraignment if he is to perfect bail from Maghaberry during that time.