Murder accused ‘claimed he was acting in self-defence when he choked man’

A man has claimed he was acting in self-defence when he “choked” another man to death in Co Antrim at the weekend, a court heard.

Mark Doak, 24, of Barna Square, Newtownabbey, was charged with the murder of Ryan McNab on Friday.

Doak appeared before Belfast Magistrates’ Court via video link on Monday.

On Friday, emergency services were called and told that Mr McNab was dead at Doak’s flat.

The ambulance service and police discovered Mr McNab lying unconscious on the floor of the living room.

CPR was attempted but Mr McNab was pronounced dead at the scene.

Doak was arrested on suspicion of murder shortly before 9.30pm.

A detective sergeant told the court that she could connect the accused to the charge.

The court was also told that the accused claimed Mr McNab had attacked him with a glass, that they had been fighting, and that Doak choked him to death.

He claimed it was in self-defence.

Doak made a statement to police that he choked Mr McNab after he was attacked with a glass bottle.

Doak was taken to hospital on Friday where he was treated for his injuries before being taken to Antrim police station on Saturday.

“Mr Doak answered all questions and made a full admission and stated that Mr McNab attacked him at his home having been invited there for a drink,” the detective sergeant told the court.

“The two men ended up scuffling on the floor. During the scuffle, Mr Doak had put Mr McNab in a wrestling hold in order to incapacitate him.

“He did this for a period of time until Mr McNab stopped moving. He then let go. A short time later Mr Doak realised Mr McNab was not breathing and raised the alarm.

“He said he had not attempted to kill him, that it had been an accident and he performed a hold to stop him being attacked.”

Some of Mr McNab’s family and friends, who were in court, became emotional and upset during the hearing and were told by the judge that the court had to remain quiet to deal with the case.

Doak’s solicitor James Ballentine made an application for bail, however the detective sergeant said that police objected “on the strongest possible terms”.

“The address that has been provided is not suitable,” she added.

“The defendant does not have a record but inquiries have been made that indicate that the defendant alleged the victim was going to go over to his ex-girlfriend’s property and this may have been part of the catalyst for the murder, because the allegation was that he was going to do her in.

“We have video evidence of the suspect saying I choked him, describing a violent scene and describing the deceased lying dead.

“We also have further recording on a phone where the defendant sounds extremely volatile, panicking and out of control.

“The defendant claims the (incident) was self-defence but it is not an isolated incident. On October 12 2022, police were called to his ex-girlfriend’s. She stated he had tried to choke her.

“He said he punched the wall during the incident and broke his hand and is in a plaster cast. The ex-girlfriend has declined to make a statement of evidence regarding this incident.

“We would have concerns he might attempt to interfere with the course of justice.

“I believe the suspect presents a danger to the public. Inquiries would indicate that Mr McNab was not known to the defendant prior to around 5pm on Friday.

“Approximately two to three hours later he is dead in the defendant’s flat, having suffered a violent death where the defendant has used martial arts skills to bring this about.

“The defendant told police that he had been on a three-day drink and cocaine bender from Wednesday until Friday, when he was arrested, and had not slept during this time.

“He took cocaine at 10am on Friday and took diazepam and continued to consume large quantities of cider and vodka throughout the day.”

Mr Ballentine told the court that his client was distressed and horrified over the death, and that “it was an accident”.

“This man is totally devastated by what has occurred and indeed he and the now deceased were in the defendant’s flat where they shared drink and the mood was perfectly in order,” he added.

“It appears that during the course of the evening, the injured party said he was going to my client’s ex-girlfriend’s, and break down her door and carry out an assault on her.

“Because of that, the mood changed and suddenly the injured party rose, lifted a bottle and smashed it on the defendant’s head. There are injuries to confirm that.

“This man is in a plaster cast and unable to repel the attack that was made.

“They ended up on the floor and the defendant used his good arm and put it around him to defend himself in a self-defence manoeuvre, and as a result this unfortunate incident arose.

“He did not intend to kill the gentleman, this man is distraught. It is a life-changing incident, not only for the victim’s family who are in court, for which the defendant sympathises with, but for this man as well.

“He did not leave the scene and performed CPR until ambulance and police arrived.”

The judge rejected the bail application, saying it is an extremely serious charge.

The case was adjourned until November 21.