Man to stand trial on charges of strangulation and suffocation

A man in his 50s accused of causing a woman to believe she would be strangled and suffocated, told gardaí: “It did happen” but that he “only touched her neck”.

Vaidotas Gedvilas (53), with an address at Ashfield, Mullingar, Westmeath was before Mullingar District Court to face a charge of assault causing harm, in addition to two counts under Section 3A of the Non-Fatal Offences Against the Person Act 1997.

The particulars of the latter two charges stated that Gedvilas “intentionally or recklessly” caused his alleged named female victim to “believe on reasonable grounds” she would be “immediately subjected” to strangulation and suffocation.

Mr Gedvilas had appeared before the same court earlier this year, when he was charged with assault causing harm. All three charges are alleged to have taken place between November 29 and November 30 last year at Ashfield, Mullingar.

Garda Mervyn Henson told the court of having served the two additional charges on the Lithuanian national prior to the commencement of court proceedings.

He said when issuing the strangulation charge on the accused, Gedvilas replied: “I only touched her neck.”

When the suffocation charge was put to the accused moments later, Garda Henson said Gedvilas replied, saying: “It did happen.”

Sgt Sheila Kenny, for the state, said directions had been received from the DPP for the accused to stand trial on all three charges before the court.

She added there was also consent for Mr Gedvilas to go forward to the Circuit Criminal Court on a signed guilty plea should that arise in due course.

Louis Kiernan, defence solicitor for Mr Gedvilas, said he would seek the disclosure of all state evidence given that “the option of a signed plea” was offered by the state.

In granting that order, Judge Owens extended legal aid to cover the cost of translation concerning that disclosure and certified for a Russian interpreter to be present on return date of the case.

Mr Gedvilas was remanded on bail to reappear at Mullingar District Court on November 6 for the serving of a book of evidence.