A man bit his girlfriend's pet snake in two during a row, the High Court in Belfast heard yesterday.
Bricklayer Shane Harte (33), from Moss Road, Keady, Co Armagh, is accused of torturing a royal python snake by cutting and biting it in two.
He was also charged with assaulting Coleen McGleenon (21) on August 4th, and causing her actual bodily harm.
Crown lawyer Kate McKay, who was opposing bail, said Ms McGleenon told police that during a domestic row he had headbutted her twice and had bitten her pet snake in two. "It was a small, thin snake which had been a birthday present and cost £80," she said.
Ms McKay said Ms McGleenon told police she had seen Mr Harte lift the snake from a tank, hold it in both hands and put it in his mouth to bite it in two.
"She ran into a pizza shop next door to seek help, and a witness who was in the house went into the kitchen and found him cutting at the snake with a knife," said the lawyer.
Ms McKay said the defendant then entered the shop and threw the head of the snake at her. "She states that he was laughing and shouted to her that the snake tasted lovely."
Ms McKay said Mr Harte later denied the charge of assault and biting the snake, but admitted killing it because he knew his girlfriend loved it.
Adrian Higgins, defending, said the offences had their origins in alcohol and Mr Harte had been drinking most of the day when the incident took place
Mr Justice Stephens said he believed there was a risk of Mr Harte committing further offences and refused bail.