Derry Court: Man who 'flagrantly breached his bail' remanded in custody for threatening to kill a man

A man who a judge said had 'flagrantly breached his bail' has been remanded in custody at Derry Magistrate's Court today.

John Prates (25) of Mountjoy Street in Derry appeared charged with threatening to kill a man and abusing the communication network on April 3.

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

The court heard that police were called after the man reported threats from his partner's son, Prates. 

One of the messages said 'I have no mum thanks to that b-----d I am going to kill that c--t.' 

The officer said the alleged victim believed that the threat would be carried out due to the defendant's behaviour. 

Prates was also on bail on other charges and one of his conditions was that he did not possess a mobile phone. 

A phone was found hidden under a stair carpet. 

Prates could not be interviewed because he was 'aggressive and volatile.'

The officer said police had no confidence that the defendant would abide by conditions as he had 24 previous convictions and there was a risk of re-offending. 

Defence solicitor Seamus Quigley said that the court was entitled to take the view the defendant got himself 'into a real tizzy'. 

He said that this application would have been easier if there had been no breach of bail but added his client, like any people, found it 'impossible' to operate without a mobile. 

District Judge Barney McElholm said that this sort of behaviour could not be tolerated and revoked bail and remanded the accused in custody to appear again on April 27.