Derry man (18) charged with 19 offences remanded in custody

An man is alleged to have waved a machete at another driver, Derry Magistrates' Court heard today.

Caiden Robinson (18) of Derrymore in Derry appeared charged with a total of 19 charges relating to several incidents that were said to have occurred on dates at the end of March and in April. 

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

He told the court that on March 31 after an incident in McDonald's drive thru Robinson was alleged to have followed a vehicle and then forced it to stop and got out brandishing a machete.

The other driver was said to have recognised Robinson and later on April 7 told police she had recognised him driving again.

The court was told that on April 5 Robinson was again alleged to have been driving despite being disqualified and on thus occasion was said to have waved a small knife.

The police officer told the court that on April 23 police observed a vehicle they believed was being driven by Robinson and signalled it to stop. 

The vehicle failed to do so and made off at speed on occasions said to have been driven dangerously before making its way towards the border.

On April 27 police were contacted by Garda about a vehicle that failed to stop at the Buncrana Road and shortly afterwards they observed a similar vehicle pulling in to a driveway and Robinson alighting from it.

He was arrested and charged and bail was objected to on the grounds he could re-offend. 

Defence counsel Stephen Chapman said that there was no real identification evidence against his client and that the procedure for that could take some time. 

He said that the defendant had an address and could be subject to conditions.

Deputy District Judge Noel Dunlop refused bail and Robinson was remanded in custody to appear again on May 27.