Derry man pleas not guilty to 'furious driving' charge which left a woman injured

A man has pleaded not guilty at Derry Crown Court to a charge of furious driving of a bicycle which left a woman injured.

The defendant, Shane Coyle (26) from Kingsmere Gardens in the Waterside area of the city is alleged to have committed the offence on the Belt Road near his home on August 14, 2023. But at today's sitting of the court he pleaded not guilty.

He's charged with furious driving when he had charge of a bicycle, caused by wilful misconduct bodily harm to a woman contrary to Section 35 of the Offences Against the Person Act 1861.

Defence barrister Stephen Mooney told Judge Neil Rafferty K.C. that the defendant, who was released on bail yesterday "following his incarceration on another matter", wished to contest the charge. The barrister said the trial would last one or two days.

"As regards the victim in this case, her evidence can be agreed. She will not be required to give evidence", he said.

READ NEXT: Security alert in Derry after discovery of suspicious package

The court was told there was no video evidence of the time of the incident but there were video clips taken immediately afterwards.

A trial date was fixed for October 20 and the defendant was released on continuing bail.