Man charged with escaping from police custody after an alleged panic attack

A man has appeared at Derry Magistrates' Court charged with escaping from police custody after an alleged panic attack.

Frankie Lynn (21) of Rockmills in Derry was charged with, on June 27, assaulting his father, escaping from police custody, disorderly behavior and attempted criminal damage in Altnagelvin Hospital.

Police were initially called after Lynn had allegedly threatened to stab his father.

Lynn was said to have threatened to 'find something sharp and put it in' you'.

After his arrest, Lynn was taken to hospital for treatment of a recent arm injury. While there, he was said to be acting in a disorderly manner making threats to 'kill a black person and bury him where no one will find him'.

He also attempted to damage a door in the hospital, leading to charges of attempted criminal damage.

While outside the hospital, Lynn ran away from police and police suspect that he returned to his father's address. He was later arrested some five hours later at his home address. 

Bail was objected to as police say Lynn had been threatening to commit further offences and is at risk of reoffending as well as absconding. 

Defence solicitor Paddy MacDermott said that Lynn and his father had been drinking together and that Lynn claimed that his father had been the one to become aggressive.

He said that Lynn had also been the victim of a recent stabbing and claimed to have had a panic attack while at the hospital just prior to his escape.

Bail was refused and he was remanded in custody to appear again on July 24.