Derry city side ban for man charged with Great James Street assault

Derry Magistrate's Court heard today how a woman walking in Great James Street in the early hours of January 14 felt 'apprehension' when a man appeared to be following her.

Abdul Fadhl (26) of no fixed abode was charged with assault, the theft of a bank card and possession of class C drugs on January 14.

A police officer said he believed that he could connect the accused to the charges.

Defence solicitor Derwin Harvey challenged the connection stating that he felt that the common assault charge had not been made out.

He said that the alleged injured party had said in her statement that she had 'no idea' what Fadhl was doing.

The solicitor said that he 'didn't believe the behaviour amounted to common assault'.

The police officer said that the woman had been 'scared' for her safety after she was contacted by friends to say  that she was being followed.

He said that when the woman walked quicker Fadhl walked quicker, when she slowed down he slowed down and when she stopped he stopped.

The defendant was eventually challenged and left the scene.

Mr Harvey said that the defendant was a homeless man wandering the streets 'with no idea he was causing apprehension to anyone'.

District Judge Oonagh Mullan said the woman was the only other person on the street.

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She said 'what was clear she walked he walked, she stopped and he stopped' and added that 'any female would have been extremely concerned'.

She ruled that the charges had been made out.

She granted Fadhl bail to an address approved by the PSNI and on condition he does not enter the city side of Derry. 

He will appear again on February 12.