Man accused of 'completely reckless and wholly dangerous' driving remanded
The man who was granted anonymity due to the fact he was also charged with being concerned in the supply cannabis faced a total of 15 charges
A man accused of what a judge described as 'completely reckless and wholly dangerous' driving has been remanded in custody at Derry Magistrate's Court today.
The man who was granted anonymity due to the fact he was also charged with being concerned in the supply cannabis faced a total of 15 charges.
He was charged with dangerous driving on August 31 and September 14 as well as a series of other driving offences.
He was also charged with possessing cannabis and being concerned in the supply of the drug on September 23 as well as a charge of possessing criminal property.
A police officer connected the accused to the charges and opposed bail.
She told the court that police were on the lookout for the vehicle and on August 31 they spoke to the defendant who then drove off at speed.
He was alleged to have driven down Shipquay Street in the city centre on the wrong side if the road at times at speed of 60mph.
The court heard that police received reports on September 14 of dangerous driving on the Northland Road involving the same vehicle.
The man was eventually arrested on September 23 and a search was carried out at his address which uncovered an amount of cannabis as well as a safe.
He refused to give police the code to open the safe so it was forced open and £3,600 found.
Bail was opposed due to the risk of re-offending and the fact the defendant admitted to having a cannabis addiction.
Defence counsel Michael Donaghey said that his client had not been before the court in the last number of years.
He said he had made admissions to the August 31 incident but was denying the September 14 incident.
The barrister said that it would be some time before the case came to be dealt with and added the defendant had strong ties to the Derry area.
District Judge Barney McElholm said that the driving allegations were serious and he had a duty to protect the public.
He added that 'this man should not be anywhere near a motor vehicle' and refused bail.
The man was remanded in custody to appear again on October 17.