Sex worker held for days at gunpoint, court hears

A sex worker was allegedly imprisoned by a man at gunpoint in Belfast for up to three days, the High Court has heard.

Thomas Morgan, 47, of Walnut Green in Larne, faces charges including possessing a firearm and false imprisonment.

The court heard the woman was held at a house between 14 and 16 December 2022.

The prosecution said Mr Morgan told the woman she could only leave the house if she agreed to shoot him.

They added the woman escaped from the house when Mr Morgan fell asleep by climbing out of a window.

The woman was reported to have used Whatsapp to arrange a five-hour meeting for a £1,000 fee.

She claimed when she arrived at the property the man showed some cash but she was concerned she would receive no money.

The court was told she asked to leave the house and was refused and further threatened.

The prosecution claimed she was not allowed to phone her children and she was threatened with having her legs broken.

At one stage the man allegedly stated: "You are going to die in this house with me."

The court heard she was taken to a utility room where the man produced a firearm and asked if she would shoot him in the head.

During her time in the house the court heard no proper food or drink were provided.

The woman said she eventually managed to escape out of a window after he fell asleep.

Mr Morgan was arrested by police at a hotel in Belfast in January this year.

He denies imprisoning the sex worker or subjecting her to threats.

The court heard he allegedly offered her £5,000 to stay the entire weekend, but never intended to make a payment and insisted she was free to leave at any stage.

The judge adjourned an application for bail, requesting further medical reports.