Man charged with 'a spree of offences including stealing from an 80-year-old woman remanded

A man has been remanded in custody at Derry Magistrate's Court today charged with what a judge described as 'a spree of offending including stealing from an 80-year-old woman.'

Liam Murray (19) of Duddy's Court in Derry appeared facing a total of 10 charges that were alleged to have occurred during January.

He was charged with stealing a mobile phone from the reception area of the Brunswick Superbowl on January 2.

Murray was further charged with stealing a power washer valued at £1,300 from the same venue, stealing a mobile phone from Foyle Haven on January 13 and stealing a handbag from an 80-year-old woman in Sainsbury's which contained £1,200 in cash.

Murray also faced a charge of interference with a vehicle and stealing a bankcard and fraud by false representation by using the card. 

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

He said that on January 3 police received a report from the Brunswick Superbowl that a male had entered and stole a mobile phone as well as cash. 

A week later the same man was said to have returned and stolen a power washer. 

The officer said that the theft in Sainsbury's occurred when the elderly lady was shopping and a man snatched her age and when recovered the money was missing. 

The court was also told that on January 26 a man discovered his car door was open and later realised a bank card was missing that was subsequently used for nine transactions. 

When interviewed Murray replied no comment. 

Police objected to bail due to the risk of re-offending and said Murray had 73 previous convictions. 

The officer said that police had 'grave concerns' Murray would commit further offences and didn't believe any conditions would suit.

Defence solicitor Paddy MacDermott said that this was 'difficult application' and added that his client had 'a very bad record' mostly from the youth court.

He said Murray could spend 'a considerable time in custody' and said he could be managed on bail especially now as 'he was on the police radar.'

District Judge Barney McElholm said that Murray had started offending in August 2019 and there had been multiple offences in the youth court but he was now 'in the big boys court'.

He said Murray clearly feels he 'can steal anything he likes, damage whatever he likes'.

The judge said that his primary duty was to protect the public and if Murray was released there was 'not so much a risk of re-offending but an inevitablity.'

Bail was refused and Murray was remanded in custody to appear again on February 9.