Man accused of going into shop armed with knife
A Limavady man has appeared in court accused of burglary of a local shop, while wearing a plastic bag over his head.
Kevin Barry Clarence, of Glenview Drive in the town, is charged with possessing a knife, possession of a knife with intent to commit an indictable offence and aggravated burglary with intent to steal.
The offences relate to an alleged incident at a Spar shop in Coolessan Walk on January 6.
Derry Magistrate’s Court heard allegations that the 19-year-old went into the shop shortly after 8:30am wearing the plastic bag over his face, with bits cut out for his eyes and mouth.
A female staff member who was in the till area claimed the man was holding a large knife in his hand and “recognised him straight away”.
The court heard the woman told the teen “get out Kevin” when he tried to get behind the till and open it.
When the 19-year-old was arrested he had a number of injuries, including a large cut to his lip. He had to be taken to Casualty and received stitches to the wound.
The court also heard claims that during police interview the teen said the knife was not for the shop, but for the person responsible for his injury who he would not name.
Opposing bail an investigating officer told the court police feared the 19-year-old would re-offend as he has a previous conviction for the burglary of the same shop.
Defence solicitor Paddy MacDermott said Clarence had been “taking substances that rendered him incapable of rational thought”.
He applied for his client to be released on bail with stringent conditions to allow him to deal with drink and drug problems.
Refusing bail, District Judge Barney McElholm said the 19-year-old has had opportunities to do this in the past and he had no confidence that bail conditions would deter him from re-offending. Clarence was remanded in custody and will appear in court again on January 31.
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Thursday 23 May 2013
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