Woman testifies O'Quinn threatened, punched her

A woman who was in a relationship with Matthew Francis O'Quinn told a Stephenville court Wednesday that he threatened to kill her and her daughter, and punched her in the face and head.

O'Quinn, 36, faces multiple charges including break and enter, uttering threats, forcible confinement, and assault. He's also facing firearms and probation offences. 

He has already been convicted three times on similar charges of confining women in wooded areas, as well as threatening and assaulting them.

Woman testifies behind screen

The alleged victim, whose name is protected by a court order, testified from behind a screen so she and O'Quinn couldn't see each other.

In a quiet voice, she told the court she met O'Quinn while both were in custody earlier this year, and later they began living together in Stephenville.

She said O'Quinn convinced her to move with him to a cabin in the woods, an eight-kilometre walk from Flat Bay.

The woman told the court she soon realized she didn't like living in the woods, adding, "I would give him a lot of attitude. It's the way I am."

She said when she told O'Quinn she wanted to leave, he threatened to chop up her daughter, slit the woman's throat, and slice his own.

She said he also pointed a rifle at her and threatened to shoot her.

She testified O'Quinn punched her in the face and head and forced her to the ground by pulling her hair.

Defences raises credibility issues

O'Quinn's lawyer, Derek Hogan, pointed out a number of inconsistensies between what the woman testified and what she told police.

Hogan also cited the woman's lengthy criminal record.

The trial continues in Stephenville on Thursday.