Anyone found in possession of a machete 'must face the consequences' - Derry judge says

A judge at Derry Magistrate's Court has said anyone found in possession of a machete 'must face the consequences' as he remanded a man in custody for a series of offences including kidnap and possessing offensive weapons in Derry city centre.

Michael Stephen Doherty (37) of Creevagh Heights in Derry appeared charged with a total of 12 charges.

He was charged with possessing a machete and a baseball bat in Bank Place in the city on July 22.

He was also charged with kidnap of a woman, domestic abuse offences, non fatal strangulation and assault on the same woman on dates from March 1 until July 22.

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

She told the court that the mother of the alleged victim in the case contacted police to say her daughter was with the defendant in Baker Place and he would not let her leave the car.

The mother said the defendant had a machete with him. 

Police located the vehicle and removed the defendant and a large machete was visible in the vehicle. 

A subsequent search uncovered a baseball bat as well. 

The alleged victim was driving the car and the officer said she appeared 'very distressed'.

She said the defendant had asked her to drive him to Strabane and would not let her leave. 

In a statement the woman said the defendant said he was going to assist a cousin and claimed he had 'threatened to wrap the weapons around her throat' if she did not take him to Strabane.

The woman made other allegations against Doherty including that on June 27 he had 'slapped her multiple times' and punched her on the back.

She also alleged he had spat on her. 

The woman told police on July 21 she had been with her children when Doherty had contacted her called her a liar and threatened to 'kill her, her children, the dog and the cat.'

At interview Doherty denied hitting the woman and claimed he had the machete for self-defence. 

As regards the baseball bat he said he was going to attend a baseball match. 

Bail was opposed due to the risk of re-offending as the defendant had 30 previous convictions. 

Defence counsel Stephen Mooney said he accepted these were serious allegations but at this stage they were just allegations. 

He said that he believed the charge of kidnapping was a charge 'that will eventually collapse.'

Deputy District Judge Noel Dunlop said these are serious charges and added that he was not prepared to take a chance and refused bail. 

Doherty was remanded in custody to appear again on August 15.