Man charged with number of serious driving offences remanded in custody
Ronan Ward (44) of Slievemore Park in Derry was charged with, on July 4, driving with no insurance, driving while disqualified, failing to stop at the scene of an accident, driving while drunk and assault
A man has been remanded in custody at Derry Magistrates' Court charged with a number of serious driving offences.
Ronan Ward (44) of Slievemore Park in Derry was charged with, on July 4, driving with no insurance, driving while disqualified, failing to stop at the scene of an accident, driving while drunk and assault.
Police were initially called to the scene of an accident after Ward was said to be swerving over the white line on the road before allegedly crashing into the car in front of him.
Ward was then said to have got out of his vehicle and confronted the other driver, poking him and making threats.
The other driver subsequently phoned the police and said that he could smell alcohol on Ward, while dashcam footage showed the accident.
Police later found Ward and he was arrested, giving a breath reading of 132 when tested.
He made full admissions to all charges apart from the assault when questioned by police.
Bail was opposed as Ward has eight previous convictions, seven of which are driving offences.
Defence solicitor Paddy MacDermott said that Ward has 'fully co-operated' with police and added that his offending began 'fairly late in life'.
Bail was denied, with District Judge Oonagh Mullan calling his record 'extremely concerning'.
He will appear again on July 31.