Jaroslav Cabala, a 35-year-old man previously deported from the UK after serving a prison sentence for a Ballymena meth laboratory, has appeared in court on new drugs and assault charges.

At Antrim Magistrates' Court on Tuesday, Cabala faced charges including being concerned in the supply of heroin and cannabis, possession of heroin and cannabis with intent to supply, possession of methamphetamine, heroin and cannabis, and possession of criminal property. The charges relate to 30 May this year.

He is also charged with breaching a deportation order. Cabala was originally deported after a 2023 conviction at Antrim Crown Court for his involvement in a hazardous meth lab discovered at Ladysmith Terrace, Ballymena, in October 2020. That laboratory contained toxic and explosive materials and required specialist teams to dismantle it.

Police arrested Cabala on 30 May after attending a property in the Chiswick Walk area of Ballymena. A woman reported that her partner, identified as Cabala, assaulted her without provocation. During the incident, the woman was holding a one-year-old child when Cabala allegedly pushed her, causing both to fall. The child struck his head against a wall and was taken to hospital for treatment of injuries including an abrasion to the forehead and an eyelid injury. The woman sustained bruising and injuries after being slapped to the face three times.

Following the alleged assault, Cabala fled the address. Police located him hiding in an attic at approximately 6:30pm that day. A subsequent search of the property recovered scales, drug paraphernalia, mobile phones, deal bags, tablets and cash.

In interview, Cabala stated that cannabis found by police was for his own use. He explained that he separated the drug into deal bags to differentiate strength and that the bags were purchased in bulk.

A defence barrister told the court that Cabala works as a welder in the Republic of Ireland and that the defendant maintains he did not intentionally assault the child. However, District Judge Nigel Broderick refused bail, describing Cabala as a clear flight risk. The judge noted that Cabala was present in Northern Ireland in breach of a deportation order.

Cabala was remanded in custody and the case was adjourned until 25 June.