Derry man who intimidated witness on social media remanded in custody

A man has been remanded in custody at Derry Magistrate's Court today charged with posting messages on social media about a woman who is a witness against him in another case.

Cavan White (34) of Rossnagalliagh is charged with one count of abusing the communications network on May 26.

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

He told the court the alleged victim contacted police to say she had been made aware that the defendant had posted on Facebook and Snapchat messages about her.

She told police that friends had made her aware of the posts and they had left her feeling 'anxious'.

READ NEXT: 20-year-old Derry man fined in court after 140km/h speed detection in Donegal

Some of the posts mentioned her by name and called her a liar and claimed she had made false allegations against the defendant. 

The woman also told police three men had called to her house on May 24 and asked her to withdraw her allegations against White or 'face the consequences'.

The police officer said police went to arrest White at 5.00am but there had been no answer. 

Bail was opposed due to the risk of reoffending as White has 136 previous convictions and 34 breaches of bail. 

A defence solicitor said there was no suggestion that White had actually contacted the woman just posted on social media. 

He said that he could be released on bail.

District Judge Conor Heaney said the court had 'no confidence' White would abide by conditions. 

He refused bail and White was remanded in custody to appear again on June 5.