Derry man who went on rampage in Altnagelvin Hospital causing £4,000 worth of damage remanded
Niall Waterkamp (33) of Duncreggan Road in Derry admitted a charge of criminal damage to windows in the hospital and a charge of disorderly behaviour that occurred on September 10
A man who went on the rampage in Altnagelvin Hospital causing £4,000 worth of damage has been remanded in custody at Derry Magistrate's Court today.
Niall Waterkamp (33) of Duncreggan Road in Derry admitted a charge of criminal damage to windows in the hospital and a charge of disorderly behaviour that occurred on September 10.
A police officer connected the accused to the charges and opposed bail.
He told the court that police were called to the hospital around 1pm on September 10 due to a 'disruptive male'.
They found the defendant outside being watched by staff who told police Waterkamp had smashed windows and a door panel with a fire extinguisher.
CCTV was examined and showed Waterkamp smashing a number of windows using a fire extinguisher.
The police officer said that damage was estimated at £4,000.
Waterkamp was arrested but was deemed unfit for interview for 24 hours.
He told police he thought someone in a white coat and with a syringe was after him and he had broken the windows to escape.
The court heard that Waterkamp had 60 previous convictions and 11 breaches of bail and on the day in question was under 'the influence of something'.
The officer said that police had 'no confidence' the defendant would abide by any conditions.
Defence solicitor Paddy MacDermott said that this was 'a very bad case of criminal damage that the hospital does not need.'
He said he could be released to an address approved by the PSNI and with conditions.
District Judge Alana McSorley said it was 'an outrageous incident in front of vulnerable people.'
She added that this case met the custody threshold and remanded the accused in custody so a pre-sentence report could be prepared.
Waterkamp will appear again on October 10.