Derry man who threatened to set himself on fire granted bail
James Moore (40) of Earhart Park in Derry was charged with assaulting and resisting police on April 6
A man who alleged to have poured petrol over himself and threatened to set himself on fire has appeared at Derry Magistrates' Court today.
James Moore (40) of Earhart Park in Derry was charged with assaulting and resisting police on April 6.
A police officer connected the accused to the charges and opposed bail.
He told the court that at 5.30pm on that date police were called to an address to an ongoing disturbance where Moore was threatening to set himself on fire.
The defendant was standing in his back garden with a lighter making threats to burn himself.
He was then said to have run in the back door and locked it but police gained entry and in an ongoing struggle Moore was said to have tried to bite an officer.
Bail was objected to on the grounds that the defendant had an 'atrocious record' of over 100 previous convictions 25 of them for assaulting police.
The officer also said that there was 'massive concern' about the defendant's mental health.
Defence counsel Stephen Chapman said there was clearly mental health issues and 'custody is not the medicine for that'.
He said that his client had engaged and was continuing to engage with probation.
District Judge Oonagh Mullan released Moore on bail on condition he makes contact with his GP within 24 hours.
The case was adjourned until May 1.