Outrage as Domestic Abuser Granted Bail Despite Jail Sentence

A woman has expressed concern after discovering that a man who was convicted of a number of domestic abuse offences against her was still walking the streets after being granted bail due to an appeal.

Background:
Keith Henry of Tulnacross Road, Cookstown, was convicted after pleading not guilty to five domestic abuse charges which included; two counts of common assault, non-fatal strangulation, and causing physical and psychological harm to his victim during the period of August 2022 and July 2024. He was sentenced this week for the offences, receiving a 12-month sentence where he would have to serve at least six months in prison.

Unexpected Development:
However, immediately after receiving the sentence, Henry was allowed to return to 'walking the streets' after he was bailed pending an appeal hearing. Wanita McCrea, who previously spoke out about the struggles she faced going through the justice service with the case, said that after being initially pleased with the sentence, she became very concerned to discover that Henry was bailed after it. She said: 'I thought I had got the result that I wanted when he was given a prison sentence and I saw him being led away in handcuffs in the court. But then just a few hours later I was contacted by a member of the public who told me that they had seen him out walking the streets. I can't believe that despite receiving a prison sentence this man was allowed to walk out the door immediately and this just shows how victims of crime can be failed by the justice system even after a conviction.'

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