Derry man branded 'a danger to the community' remanded

A man who a judge said is 'a danger to the community and should not be allowed behind the wheel of a car' has been remanded in custody at Derry Magistrates' Court. 

Thomas Kelly (37) of Beraghvale in Derry appeared charged with what judge Barney McElholm said was 'a spree of offences.'

Kelly faced more than 20 driving and domestic violence offences that were said to have occurred in October, November and December. 

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

He told the court that on October 20 police observed a vehicle heading towards Limavady and signalled it to stop.

The vehicle stopped briefly and then made off while being pursued police. 

Eventually the vehicle was stopped and the defendant was in the passenger seat.

On December 9 the officer told the court the female driver told police she was being assaulted while police were in pursuit. 

Then on October 30 police were called to an incident on the Madam's Bank Road after a male was struck by a vehicle that had failed to stop.

The man sustained several injuries including suspected head injuries.

The last registered owner said he had sold the vehicle to Kelly.

The court was then told of an incident on November 13 where they attended an accident at Fernabbey where a car driven by the same female involved in the October incident had hit a tree.

She told police she had swerved to avoid a dog and hit the tree. 

Kelly had been a passenger in the car but made off into Fernabbey.

However,  on December 8 the woman told police that the accident occurred because Kelly had grabbed the steering wheel after he 'panicked' when he saw police. 

She said he had been shouting at her while she was driving and added she was 'in fear' of him.

Bail was opposed as police believed Kelly would re-offend was 'a risk to the public and a risk of interfering with justice.'

Defence solicitor Seamus Quigley said that a bail application on any of these charges would be 'difficult' but this one was made even more so by the number of charges. 

District Judge Barney McElholm said that no address in the city would be suitable for this defendant and doubted that anywhere in the jurisdiction would suit.

He described the offences as 'a thuggish spree' and added he had a duty to protect the public and this man was a danger and further offending was 'inevitable '.

Kelly was remanded in custody to appear again on January 2.