Derry man claimed white powder was baking soda following helicopter chase

A man described as 'a danger to the public' has been remanded in custody at Derry Magistrate's Court charged with a number of driving and drug offences.

Dean Hutton (31) of Ebrington Oaks in Derry was arrested on January 23 after police were told of a man driving a vehicle while disqualified from doing so.

Police located the vehicle and moved in front of it with sirens flashing. The driver instead tried to drive around and later escaped police view.

The car was soon found by a police helicopter and the driver was seen to be leaving and running into a taxi that drove on after police attempted to stop it.

Hutton was later found and arrested with a number of Class A & B drugs found.

He was charged with possession and possession with intent to supply, as well as driving without a licence or insurance and taking a vehicle without authority, as well as a number of related offences.

Hutton refused to provide any samples for police and said he had only taken the car because he was 'stressed out'.

Police searched his property and found large quantities of Class A drugs, including 104.5g of Class A.

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When interviewed he initially gave no comment answers and tried to claim the white powder found was baking soda.

Police objected to bail as Hutton has nineteen previous drug convictions and had one previous bail conditions, namely that he not be intoxicated in public and provide samples when asked by police.

Police also said that the defendant faced similar type charges and was on bail for that.

Defence solicitor Paddy MacDermott said that Hutton had been on bail since August 2024 and, until now, has managed to abide by his bail conditions.

He added that Hutton has had 'addiction issues in the past' but has shown that he can be trusted.

Bail was refused and he will appear again on February 4.