Man remanded at Derry Court accused of harrassing his former partner and making UDA threats towards her

Derry Magistrate's Court heard today how a man is accused of harassing his former partner sent her messages threatening her with the UDA, a loyalist paramilitary group.

Richard Jack (50) of Ulsterville Avenue in Derry appeared charged with a range of offences including arson to a vehicle, aggravated vehicle taking, taking a vehicle without authority, harassment, sending threatening or menacing messages and sending threatening text messages on December 5.

All of the offences were said to be aggravated by domestic abuse.

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

She said that at 10pm police received a report of a vehicle on fire and the Fire Service said the fire had been deliberately set in the foot well of the car using fire lighters.

Jack's former partner told police she had looked out her window and saw the vehicle on fire and Jack standing nearby.

She went out and pulled the burning mat from the car injuring her hand.

A neighbour who was passing saw Jack present and said the defendant had asked him for a lift which was refused.

It emerged that the vehicle had been given to Jack, who is a mechanic, by a woman to repair and he had no permission to drive it.

The defendant's former partner told police that Jack had been calling her making threats about paramilitaries.

When questioned Jack said he had been at home and denied being at the woman's house.

When asked about the UDA threats he said it was 'only words'.

The police officer opposed bail due to the risk of re-offending and said the defendant had 69 previous convictions some for assault and firearm offences.

She said despite being separated from thus woman Jack 'continues to harass her.'

The officer said that the messages involving paramilitaries were 'very concerning'.

Man with 78 previous convictions and 'an horrendous bail history' remanded at Derry Court

Defence solicitor Seamus Quigley said this was 'a difficult case' for him.

He said there would very likely be pleas to some of the matters but others may involve forensics and this could take some time.

District Judge Barney McElholm said that these were 'very serious allegations' and Jack was totally unsuitable for bail.

He remanded Jack in custody to appear again on December 22.