Brothers in Derry court following knifepoint robbery of man for £600

Two brothers have appeared in court charged with a knifepoint robbery.

Patrick Myers (22) of Clon Elagh and Christopher Myers (30) of Beraghvale both in Derry appeared at the local Magistrate's Court charged with robbing a man of £600.

Patrick Myers was further charged with possessing Xanax and possessing a flick knife.

All of the offences were said to have occurred on May 7.

A police officer connected the accused to the charges and opposed bail.

He told the court that the alleged victim in the case was at Waterside train station going to Belfast.

The man had withdrawn a sum of money, believed to be £600, as he was planning a shopping trip.

At 1.50pm the man was approached by a man police claim was Patrick Myers who demanded the alleged victim hand over his wallet who produced a knife.

The man said he did not have a wallet but the man demanded the cash.

At this point another man allegedly Christopher Myers approached and both men were said to have made off in a car which the alleged victim's partner managed to get the registration number.

Police went to an address at Beraghvale and as they approached Patrick Myers came out and told police 'it is me you are after I was driving.'

He was searched and drugs and a knife was found on him.

Christopher Myers was in the house.

CCTV footage from the scene was checked but it was found the robbery took place 'off camera'.

The officer opposed bail and said that while neither man had a record 'the confidence' that the alleged robbery was carried out suggested that these were not the first offences but simply had not been caught.

Defence solicitor Paddy MacDermott for Patrick Myers said his client denied the offences.

He said that the CCTV was 'inconclusive' but wondered how they would have known the alleged victim had £600 on him.

The solicitor said that this was not a normal street robbery and said his client could be released with conditions.

Seamus Quigley defence solicitor for Christopher Myers said his client had no record whatsoever.

He said that the defendant had given a version of events and it was clear further inquiries had to be made.

Deputy District Judge Alan White said it was 'a serious offence involving a knife'.

He remanded Patrick Myers in custody and released Christopher Myers on bail on condition he does not enter the Waterside and reports to police three times a week.

Both men will appear again on June 6.