Derry Court: Man (21) with 'a high risk of re-offending' remanded for breaching his bail

A man who a court was told had breached his bail on 14 occasions on one set of charges and 10 times on another set has been remanded in custody at Derry Magistrate's Court.

Luke Holden (21) of Knockena in Derry appeared charged with breaching his bail from January 15 until January 23.

A police officer told the court that police were alerted to a breach of bail on January 15 when Holden had breached his curfew.

The defendant's father told police that his son had gone to Belfast.

The officer said that Holden handed himself into police on January 23 and his tag was missing.

He told police that the tag was gone and would not be recovered.

The court heard that Holden had been released on bail by the High Court in December with a 'clear warning' not to breach his bail.

The police officer said that there was 'a high risk of re-offending' and added that while the defendant had 8 previous convictions seven of them had occurred when he was on bail.

The officer said there was 'no chance' of Holden abiding by bail conditions.

Defence solicitor Seamus Quigley said that Holden had come under the influence of a woman who the court had warned him not to have any contact with. 

He said his client was 'persuaded' to travel to Belfast by this woman.

As regards the tag the solicitor said that Holden could well be one of those who believed tags were tracking devices and that was why he got rid of it.

District Judge Barney McElholm said that Holden was released by the High Court and he was sure he had received a final warning.

He said that perhaps the case should be in front of a High Court Judge as he was 'loath' to deal with a decision of another Court.

He revoked bail and remanded Holden in custody to appear again on February 9.