Victim fears ex-con will continue to hurt women

A victim of Matthew Francis O'Quinn, 36, says she fears the Stephenville resident will continue to hurt women, and possibly kill someone.

O'Quinn appeared in court in Stephenville on Friday morning to face almost 30 charges, including charges stemming from allegations that O'Quinn held a woman against her will, assaulted her and threatened to kill her.

"One of these girls he's going to do it to is not going to get away.  And they're gonna end up getting killed," said Nicole Noble, 23. 

Noble was O'Quinn's girlfriend in 2004, when she was 15 years old.

She said her relationship with O'Quinn started out sweetly, but quickly turned sour.

"I was beaten every night, every day," recalled Noble. "And if I had marks on me, I had to hide."

Noble said O'Quinn forced her to live in remote cabins and tents. She said she didn't dare try to escape.

"The threats were coming," said Noble, adding that O'Quinn would tell her, "If you ever leave me I will kill your mother, and I will kill your brother."

After a month, Noble finally did escape, and O'Quinn eventually went to jail for the offences he committed against Noble.

But in 2008 and 2010, O'Quinn was convicted of similar offences, and on Tuesday, he was arrested again. 

Provincial court judge Laura Mennie ordered O'Quinn to remain in custody.

He will be brought to Corner Brook for a bail hearing on Aug. 6.