Man remanded for assault and criminal damage

A man has appeared in Derry Magistrates Court charged with assault and criminal damage.

James Briers, 25, of no fixed abode, appeared charged with an assault and breaking a window, on October 17 both of which were said to have taken place in the Simon Community in Derry. 

Briers had been staying at a hostel but that has since been revoked.

Briers was reported to have been drunk at the time of the assault, when he had been shouting aggressively and punching the victim.

After this, Briers was thrown out of the building and refused reentry, leading to him breaking a window.

Briers was arrested in Ebrington Square and answered 'no comment' when questioned.

The only answer he gave was when he was asked about the assault, to which he said 'I was only messing with him'. 

The interview was subsequently stopped when he began shouting abuse at the police.

The court heard that Briers has twenty one previous arrest warrants and that he had only been out of prison for a short time when he was rearrested.

The court was also told that Briers has 87 previous convictions and there was a 'very clear risk' that he wouldn't attend court.

Defence solicitor Laura Jennings said that Briers denied both charges and that this had been his first breach of bail since being released four weeks ago. 

She also said that he was attending Alcoholics Anonymous to try and deal with his issues.

Bail was refused and he was remanded in custody to appear again next month.