Derry man charged with burglary of a parochial house remanded

A man has been remanded in custody at Derry Magistrate's Court today charged with burglary of a parochial house and criminal damage to a window in a church.

Jordan Leighton (24) of Duncreggan Road in Derry appeared charged with a number of offences that were said to have occurred on November 3.

He was charged with burglary of St Joseph's Parochial House with intent to steal, criminal damage to a church window, going equipped for burglary by having gloves, possessing a knife, criminal damage to a shop window and attempted burglary of the same shop with intent to steal.

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

He told the court that police were called to a report of an attempted burglary at the parochial house at 7.45am where a man had been detained in the basement of the premises. 

A search uncovered a pair of gloves and a knife and a rock was also found that was believed to have been used to break the window.

The court heard that at 6.56am police also received a report of an attempt to break into a local shop. 

CCTV was examined and a man matching Leighton's description was seen trying to break a window with a brick.

Bail was opposed due to the risk of re-offending and in order to protect the alleged victims in the case. 

Defence solicitor Seamus Quigley said the defendant had his own address and there was no issue there. 

He said that the defendant denied being in the property to burgle but was there hiding from some people who were after him. 

The solicitor said that while the defendant had 'a formidable record' of some 54 previous convictions he could be suitable for bail.

Deputy District Judge Liam McStay said that the defendant had been offending for most of his adult life. 

He said there was a strong prima face case against the defendant and he did not believe he was suitable for bail. 

Leighton was remanded in custody and will appear again on November 28.