Tyrone man charged with giving woman abortion drug

A Co Tyrone man appeared in court today charged with giving a woman drugs to procure an abortion.

As well as being charged with administering an unidentified drug to the woman on a date unknown between September 1st and October 31st last year, Philip Griffiths (24) faces accusations that he assaulted the woman and possessed a kitchen knife with intent to inflict grievous bodily harm.

Mr Griffiths, from Spout Walk in Fivemiletown, is also charged with threatening to kill the woman and threatening to destroy her home on a date unknown between January and December last year, harassing her and causing criminal damage to her bathroom door.

Did not turn up

Dressed in a casual tracksuit, Mr Griffiths stood beside a prison officer at Dungannon Magistrates Court, where a prosecuting lawyer said that despite the investigating officer being asked to attend to give an update on the progress of the file, the detective had in fact not turned up.

He told the court the PPS had not yet received the full file nor any update from the officer.

Adjourning the case to May 4th, District Judge John Meehan ordered the officer to attend to give both an update and to "show cause why they did not attend".

Mr Griffiths was released on continuing £300 (€371) bail with conditions that he is barred from contacting the woman he allegedly tried to poison and from entering Fivemiletown.