Ballykinlar soldier on rape charge

Ballykinlar soldier on rape charge

18 June 2014

A BALLYKINLAR-BASED soldier accused of raping a woman has been released on bail.

Objecting to bail, prosecutors at Belfast High Court had argued 21-year-old Ryan Fairlamb could go absent without leave due to the potential impact of the five sexual assault charges on his military career.

A captain in charge of the accused also told the court he had no authority to hold Fairlamb if he decided to leave the army camp.

At last Thursday’s hearing, however, Mr. Justice Weir ruled that the accused should be granted bail to stay with his parents in England on condition that they lodge £4,000 in cash sureties. A night-time curfew and alcohol ban were also imposed as part of the release conditions.

Bail had been refused earlier last week in Belfast Magistrate’s Court.

Prosecutors told the court that Fairlamb allegedly subjected the woman to a sex attack in a Belfast city centre doorway lasting more than 17 minutes, and that he was caught on CCTV forcing her to the ground, restraining her and punching her face as she struggled.

The alleged attack occurred on May 31 near Belfast’s Custom House Square and stopped when two men appeared on the scene.

In her account to police the woman claimed she met Fairlamb in a city centre nightclub. After leaving together they had kissed on a bench and arranged to go back to his accommodation, she said.

But at that point the off-duty soldier allegedly pulled her into the doorway and forced himself on her, according to the prosecution. A medical examination was said to have identified fresh injuries and bruising indicative of restraint.

Fairlamb was interviewed 14 times during two days of police detention and claimed at first all sexual activity was consensual, the court heard.

But Mr. Justice Weir was told that after being shown the CCTV he said he realised half way through that the woman was being overpowered.

“He stated in interview at this point he had a mindset of having sexual activity and continued with that despite her struggling,” the prosecutor added. “On her case the only consensual activity was kissing.”

Fairhill faces charges of rape, attempted rape, common assault and two counts of sexual assault.