27 year old man refused bail following "violent and reckless" offences in Derry/Londonderry

By Eamonn McDermott

A man has been remanded in custody at Derry Magistrate's Court for what a police officer described as a series of 'violent and reckless offences' in the city on Tuesday.

Neil Henry (27) of Aberfoyle Terrace in Derry appeared charged with robbery, kidnapping, possessing a knife, wounding causing grievous bodily harm, arson with intent to endanger life, threatening to kill two police officers and possessing a class A drug.

All of the offences were said to have occurred on August 3.

A police officer connected the accused to the charges and opposed bail.

She said at around 4am police were called to the scene of a fire at a residential block of flats on Strand Road.

Bins had been set alight in the only exit from the property where there were four occupied flats.

A man has been remanded in custody at Derry Magistrate's Court for what a police officer described as a series of 'violent and reckless offences' in the city on Tuesday.https://t.co/dYIV3ghe5w

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Witnesses named Henry as one of two men who had entered the property.

A short time later a man was said to have exchanged words with Henry in the Diamond area at which the defendant was said to have pulled out a knife and demanded the man empty his pockets.

The officer said Henry then brought the man to a ATM and demanded he withdraw £50 but the man refused.

After bringing the man to another location and asked where the man lived but again the alleged victim refused to say.

At this point Henry was alleged to have cut the man on the cheek before dropping the knife.

The man managed to flag down a police vehicle and Henry was arrested.

While waiting to enter the police station Henry allegedly threatened two police officers saying he was going to burn them and their families.

He also was said to have told police it was 'a good job he only got a wee cut lucky I didn't cut his throat.'

Henry was then said to have made threats against the injured party stating he would 'get him' upon his release.

The court heard that Henry had 125 previous offences of which 65 were relevant to the current case.

Bail was opposed due to the fear of further offences and the risk of intereference with witnesses.

Defence counsel Sean Doherty said these were 'serious allegations' but added the defendant was entitled to the presumption of innocence.

The barrister said it was 'appalling offending' but went on to describe some of what was said as 'bravado'.

District Judge Barney McElholm said given the threats no address in the city would be suitable.

He said it was 'an appalling catalogue of offending in a short period of time.'

He refused bail and Henry was remanded in custody to appear again on August 26.