Gary McKee, 33, appeared at Belfast Magistrates’ Court in a wheelchair on charges including causing grievous bodily harm to his ex-partner. Police arrested him after responding to a report of an assault at a caravan park in Newcastle, Co Down, in the early hours of Monday.

Officers found the woman with a large laceration on her left shin and part of her earlobe missing. She required stitches for the injuries. She stated McKee used a garden chair to break into the caravan after being refused entry, then attacked her with a shovel.

A second woman linked to McKee alleged he assaulted her first at a bar in Newcastle that night. She claimed he punched her to the ground and continued striking her.

McKee faces additional charges of dangerous driving, taking a motor vehicle without consent, and theft from two prior incidents. Police stated he drove an MG car at officers in Poleglass, west Belfast, on December 27, 2024, prompting them to take evasive action.

In a separate case on September 8, 2024, he allegedly stole another woman's vehicle during a drinking session, punching her when she tried to stop him. Gardaí found the crashed car near Drogheda across the border.

McKee claimed he was the victim of an assault at the pub, sustaining a dislocated kneecap and head wound needing five stitches. District Judge Rosalie Prytherch refused bail and remanded him in custody until April 14.