Belfast man charged with number of violent offences in Derry denied bail

A man has been denied bail following a video link hearing at Derry Magistrates Court.

Josh Parker (31) of the Antrim Road in Belfast was on remand for a number of violent offences between December 2022 and May 2024.

The first charge came after police were alerted to a fight between two women on December 27. After the women were separated, two men began to fight and one of them was knocked to the ground.

One of the men claimed that Parker had come at him from behind and attacked him with a knife, injuring his hand.

He was also charged with, on March 21 this year, breaking into the place of residence of a woman while her boyfriend wasn't home.

Parker was said to have been standing over the woman while she was in her bed before punching her several times and holding a knife to her throat.

He was also said to have damaged a number of items belonging to her and allegedly stole cash that she had in a drawer.

On May 6 this year, Parker was said to have held an eight inch knife to the throat of another woman, allegedly telling her he would cut her throat.

The following day, on May 7, Parker was said to have broken into another property with a knife.

Police were said to have found him in the bedroom and, upon searching him found jewelry that had been stolen, a large knife and a number of diazepam tablets.

When police found the drugs Parker was said to have lunged at police, having to be restrained.

Police were opposed to bail as Parker had a relevant record and had failed to surrender when arrested.

Defence solicitor Keith Kyle said that Parker had denied all charges.

He added that he has an address in Belfast that is far from the sites of any of the offences, all of which were said to have taken place in Derry.

Bail was denied and he will appear again on November 14.