18-year-old man charged with driving, drug and offensive weapon charges remanded

An 18-year-old man with 22 previous convictions has been remanded in custody at Derry Magistrates' Court today charged with driving, drug and offensive weapon charges.

Caiden Robinson of Deramore in Derry appeared charged with being in a vehicle knowing it to be stolen on June 30.

He was also charged with possessing class A and Class B drugs, possessing criminal property and possessing offensive weapons namely two baseball bats on the same date. 

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

The court heard that police observed a vehicle with Robinson in the passenger seat. 

Police signalled the vehicle to stop but it continued on crossing the border.

A short time later the vehicle was spotted onthe Buncrana Road and police pursued it and on several occasions other vehicles 'had to take evasive action'.

Eventually the vehicle crashed into a concrete bollard and the driver and Robinson were seen to make off.

Robinson was alleged to have thrown a black bag away during the police pursuit and when it was recovered it contained drugs.

Other drugs were found in the vehicle as well as two baseball bats. Sums of money were found on both men.

The court heard that Robinson made admissions as regards some of the drugs but denied knowing the vehicle may have been stolen saying he was only getting a lift home.

He denied all knowledge of the items in the car and said the money he tad on him was from buying and selling cars.

Bail was opposed due to the risk of reoffending. 

Defence counsel Stephen Chapman said Robinson was still a young man. He said that he did appear to have possession of the bag for a short time. 

District Judge Ted Magill said he didn't believe any conditions would suffice and added that the defendant had 'an appalling record' for one so young. 

He added that this case resulted in a police chase through the streets of Derry.

Bail was refused and Robinson was remanded in custody to appear again on July 24.

Meanwhile a second man has appeared at Derry Magistrates' Court charged with a number of driving and drug offences in relation to the same incident. 

Logan Tudor (18) of Summer Hill Park in Derry was charged with, on June 30, possession of cocaine and cannabis and cannabis oil, dangerous driving, possession of criminal property, possession of an offensive weapon, namely two baseball bats, stealing a car, failing to stop for police, driving a stolen car, failing to stop at the scene of an accident and obstructing police.

There was no bail application and he was remanded in custody to appear again on July 24.