A woman accused of attempting to murder her husband can go back to live with him pending her trial, a judge ruled in the High Court in Belfast yesterday. Ms Audrey Cairns (44), of Forthriver Road, Belfast, was granted bail last month on condition she lived in Lisburn.
Yesterday her husband, James (45), told Lord Justice McCollum: "I would like very much for my wife to return to the matrimonial home." A prosecution lawyer had earlier said that Mr Cairns had made a statement that the knife injuries he suffered on April 9th were caused accidentally.
Lord Justice McCollum said: "In domestic situations severe violence is sometimes used to the point of attempted murder and then the parties decide it is better not to pursue the matter."
The judge said he was satisfied Mr Cairns was happy to have his wife home and he varied the bail conditions. But he increased "the requirement on her to report to the police from once to twice a week so that they can keep tabs on the situation".