Derry man with 67 convictions denied bail over stolen vehicle charges
23-year-old man faces multiple traffic and drug charges after early-morning vehicle theft.
A man has appeared at Derry Magistrate's Court today charged with driving while disqualified, with no insurance and taking and driving a vehicle away.
Matthew Paul Grant (23) of Hawthorn Drive in Derry was also charged with possessing class B drugs and refusing to give a sample to police.
All of the alleged offences were said to have occurred on July 1 this year.
The court heard that around 5.07am the alleged victim reported that they had heard a noise and saw their vehicle being taken from outside the house.
Police were alerted and found the vehicle on the Buncrana Road at 8.15am sitting at the side if the road with the ignition on and the defendant inside.
CCTV showed the vehicle had been driven a short time before and there was no one else near it.
The court heard that it was believed Grant was under the influence of something but a breath test revealed a reading of zero.
Grant refused to provide a sample for testing and only accepted he was aware he was disqualified .
Police objected to bail due to the risk of reoffending as Grant has 67 previous convictions with 22 of them road traffic offences and 18 for drugs.
A police officer said that Grant was 'a danger to the public' as police believed he had taken the vehicle while under the influence of drugs.
The court was told police believed there were 'zero conditions' that could prevent Grant re-offending.
Defence counsel Stephen Chapman said that the defendant had an address and could be managed on conditions.
Bail was refused and Grant will appear again on July 30.