Polish man who fled jurisdiction four days before drug trial remanded

A man who fled the jurisdiction four days before his trial for drug charges has been remanded in custody after being extradited from Poland two and a half years later.

Lukasz Kalicki (41) with an address at Glendhu Crescent in Coleraine was due to face the Crown Court on charges of cultivating cannabis and possessing cannabis with intent to supply on October 18, 2019.

A police officer told Derry Magistrate's Court today that the case was due to proceed on February 14, 2022 but on February 10 that year he 'fled to Poland'.

The officer said that it had taken the PSNI and Interpol two years and three months to affect an arrest. 

Bail was opposed due to the fact that defendant had no links to this jurisdiction and there was a clear risk he would leave again. 

A defence solicitor said that it was not true Kalicki had no links here as he had a partner and children here. 

She said that Kalicki had gone to Poland to look after his father who had subsequently died. 

She said he had stayed because he had found employment and could support his family. 

The solicitor said that there was a £1,000 cash surety available for the defendant.

District Judge Barney McElholm said that Kalicki had fled 'and made no effort to return'.

He said that the cash surety was not adequate and remanded Kalicki in custody to appear again tomorrow when his co-accused is due to appear.