MAN CHARGED WITH NON-FATAL STRANGULATION
Update from 21/10/2025: A man who repeatedly violated a Violent Offences Prevention Order (VOPO) has been sentenced to six months in prison.Simon Wells, aged 30, who resides on Inverary Avenue in Sydenham, east Belfast, broke the terms of the VOPO by spending overnight at a family member's residence in his hometown of Antrim on April 27, 2025.
He also stayed at an unapproved address from July 11 to September 30, and again between October 1 and October 8, failing to notify police of his whereabouts.
The defendant appeared via video link from prison at Antrim Magistrates' Court, which was sitting in Ballymena.
He is classified as a Category 2 violent offender, indicating the second highest risk level.
The court was informed that he was not permitted to stay overnight away from his residence without explicit permission from his designated risk manager.
On April 27, he stayed at a family member's house without obtaining approval.
The court was told that had he requested permission, it would have been granted.
Between July and September, he was not at his Inverary Drive property and was found at an address in Antrim.
Earlier in the month, he breached his VOPO by failing to be at home during an 8pm curfew.
The VOPO was issued at Antrim Crown Court in April last year and is set to continue until April 2029.
It was imposed following convictions for assault aggravated by domestic abuse and criminal damage.
A defence lawyer stated that although originally from Antrim, the defendant's release license conditions required him to stay in Belfast, which led to his returning to Antrim.
The lawyer added that Wells has started a new relationship and there are no new allegations of violence against him.
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A 28-year-old man has been placed in custody following accusations of domestic violence, including a charge under Northern Ireland’s recent legislation on non-fatal strangulation, which was enacted just days prior to his arrest.
Simon Wells, with no fixed address listed as Antrim, faces allegations of deliberately strangling a woman with the intention of impairing her breathing or blood circulation to her brain.
He also faces additional charges of assault, threats to kill, and damage to household fixtures within her residence.
The alleged incident, considered aggravated by domestic violence, is said to have taken place on June 30.
During a brief hearing at Ballymena Magistrates Court, a detective constable suggested that the charges might be related.
No details about the circumstances surrounding the alleged offence were revealed during the hearing, and a defence lawyer indicated there would be no bail application at this time.
District Judge Nigel Broderick ordered Wells to remain in custody and scheduled his next appearance via video link at Antrim Magistrates Court for 18 July.
Wells is among the first individuals to face charges under the new law criminalising non-fatal strangulation and asphyxiation in Northern Ireland, which carries a maximum penalty of 14 years in prison upon conviction.
