A 40-year-old man described by a judge as displaying “all the hallmarks of a domestic abuse perpetrator” has been remanded in custody following his latest alleged offending against his ex-partner and children.

Aaron Scott, with an address given as no fixed abode, is charged with breaching a Restraining Order and damaging a door, both of which are aggravated by domestic violence.

A Detective Constable told Enniskillen Magistrates Court the charges could be connected.

She explained shortly after 9pm on March 27, police received a 999 call on behalf of one of the children, stating Scott was kicking the door of their home.

He and the children’s mother separated some years ago, and he is subject to a 10-year Restraining Order since February, 2023, forbidding contact with them.

Upon officers’ arrival, he had already made off; however, his ex-partner explained they had very briefly reunited several weeks beforehand when one of their children was ill in hospital.

However, she quickly ended this, and wanted nothing more to do with him.

She stated Scott had arrived at her house demanding to be let in, kicking the front door three times, causing significant damage when refused entry.

The children were present, one of whom asked Scott to leave, the court heard.

He was initially unable to be located, but was finally arrested on April 12, providing a mostly ‘no comment’ interview.

Objecting to bail, the detective said: “There’s a domestic history dating back to 2019. The ex-partner has been assessed at high-risk of violence by the defendant on three occasions.

“He has 20 previous convictions, the majority of which are domestic-related involving his ex-partner.”

She continued, “Police believe if released he will more than likely return to the domestic setting and there will be a recurrence of events.

“He is a Public Protections Agency NI offender managed by a specialist unit due to his domestic offending.

“He has breached bail numerous times, and committed further offences in the process, and is now charged with breaching a Restraining Order.

“Furthermore, he actively evaded police until his arrest. Police feel the only way to truly safeguard the victim is for a remand in custody.”

Countering this, a defence barrister pointed out Scott was not actively evading police; rather, he had been ‘sofa-surfing’, and not at a stable address.

She said: “He had no knowledge police were seeking him, and there was a two-week period when the defendant made no further contact with his ex-partner, indicating he isn’t going to go straight back and reoffend.

“The Restraining Order was in place over a year and the ex-partner indicated the relationship resumed.

“Obviously, the onus is on the defendant, but she engaged in a consensual relationship again. There’s a question why that happened.”

However, District Judge Alana McSorley remarked: “I’ll answer that for you – it’s to do with coercive control.”

Defence replied: “That may be, but I’m saying there is a question for the court to determine, although I’m not suggesting that the ex-partner is in the wrong.”

The judge said: “That’s what domestic perpetrators do. They see a vulnerability and they play on it, so when the child was sick, he saw an opportunity as a way back in again.”

To this, Defence responded: “That’s not a matter for me. That’s for the legislators in terms of domestic control.”

But Judge McSorley responded: “It’s a matter for you when making representations on the defendant’s behalf as to her consent or lack of it.”

Throwing out the application, Judge McSorley said: “I’ve absolutely no hesitation in refusing bail. This displays all the hallmarks of a domestic abuse perpetrator.”

Scott will appear again by videolink next month.