Woman’s friend in England rang police after seeing alleged sexual assault on video call, court hears

Jonathan Meehan from West Belfast appeared in court charged with rape and sexual assault following the incident

A woman in England called the police after claiming she had seen her friend being sexually assaulted during a video call, a court heard today.

Jonathan Meehan, 40, from West Belfast appeared in Belfast Magistrates Court on Monday, June 15, charged with rape, sexual assault and false imprisonment following an incident that took place on Sunday, June 14.

The court heard Meehan did not know the 24-year-old alleged victim prior to messaging her on social media on June 13. Following an argument with her boyfriend, she had gone to Meehan’s home in the Suffolk Road area as he had said it was somewhere that “she could be safe”.

While at the property, they drank and took drugs together with Meehan allegedly attempting to kiss the victim at some point, but she kept turning her head away. It was alleged that he had put his hands around her throat.

The victim then tried to leave the property but was stopped by Meehan, who grabbed her by the neck before sexually assaulting and raping her.

The court heard the victim had taken videos during the incident that showed her repeatedly saying no and begging to leave the property. She also reportedly video called a friend who lived in England who witnessed Meehan sexually assaulting her and attempting to take her top off; her friend then called the police who contacted the PSNI.

Meehan’s representative told the court that Meehan had not instigated the alleged victim coming to his home and that she had wanted to do it. He said the two had taken alcohol and drugs together at the property and had consented to any activity.

Meehan’s bail was refused by the judge, who said his actions were “predatory” and “premeditated” and that he would be remanded in custody due to the “risk of harm to females and the wider public”. He is due to appear again on Tuesday, July 7.

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