A Belfast man cleared of the date-rape of a woman he sexually attacked cursed her from the dock of the city's Crown Court yesterday.
The 32-year-old father of one, Gerard Martin Dickey, told his young victim, "See you in hell, love", as he was freed on continuing bail for pre-sentence reports. Dickey, from Hillman Street was cleared of the date-rape after the prosecution offered no evidence when he pleaded guilty to indecent assault.
His family and friends traded insults with those of his 23year-old victim after they had complained that the outcome of the case was "a disgrace".Later, the woman and her family had to be given an escort from the court by police, who had earlier kept both groups apart.
The court had heard Dickey and a friend took the woman and a friend to a house in the Newlodge area of north Belfast after picking them up at a disco.