Derry Court: Man remanded on witness intimidation charge

A man has been remanded in custody at Derry Magistrate's Court today on a charge of witness intimidation.

Conor Leitch (33) of Anderson Crescent in Derry appeared charged with one count of witness intimidation on January 12.

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

She told the court that police were called by a female who told them Leitch had been contacting her asking her to change a statement she had made about earlier incidents.

He is prohibited from having any contact with the female as part of his bail conditions.

She told police she had blocked Leitch on all social media but he contacted her through PayPal to say he wanted to get back together with her.

The woman said that the defendant would say things that would make her concerned for him. 

On one occasion he was said to have told her he was on 'the police payroll' and would have her arrested.

Bail was opposed due to the fact this was his third breach.

Defence solicitor Paddy MacDermott said his client denied any attempts to influence the woman.

Bail was refused and Leitch was remanded in custody to appear again on February 2.