Charged with threatening man with an imitation firearm in Derry city centre

Derry Magistrate’s Court heard allegations that the incident involved a BB gun which had been painted to look like a handgun.

Jonathon Patton and Charles Andrew Law, both aged 29 and of no fixed abode, are jointly charged with possessing an imitation firearm with intent to commit an indictable offence and burglary with intent to cause grievous bodily harm.

They are further charged with common assault, making a threat to kill and making a threat to damage or destroy property.

Law is also accused of a further common assault and possession of an imitation firearm with intent.

All the charges relate to alleged incidents in the Foyle Street and Richmond Crescent areas of the city on June 22.

Opposing bail, an investigating officer said that police have concerns the defendants may interfere with witnesses.

She said that Patton does not have any previous convictions, but police have concerns that the ‘first offending is of such a serious type’.

The officer added that Patton had ‘deliberately painted this BB gun to make it look like a handgun and to threaten someone with it’.

In relation to Law, the court heard he has 182 previous convictions, including convictions for burglary, robbery and possessing a firearm.

The officer said the defendant is currently on bail accused of assault and has only recently been released from prison in Scotland.

She said police have concerns that both men have no regard for members of the public ‘as they were in the city centre in possession of a firearm which they used to threaten a male in a public place’.

Under cross-examination by defence counsel, the officer confirmed that neither of the complainants in the case have made a statement to police.

However, she said that there is body worn camera footage and CCTV footage.

Sean Doherty, defence counsel for Patton, said his client had been subject to ‘a degree of bullying’ by a group of people and bought the BB gun to ‘offer him some protection’.

He added that his client is a man with vulnerabilities and was subject to a serious assault a number of weeks ago.

Mr Doherty also told the court that CCTV of the alleged incident in Richmond Crescent shows Patton ‘acting as a peace maker’ and said he had been welcomed into the property by the tenant.

Andrew Kinney, defending Law, said his client was not the main protagonist in relation to the alleged incident in the city centre and has been ‘charged on the basis of joint venture’.

He added that his client could be released on bail to an address outside the city, as his previous bail address was in Randalstown.

District Judge Peter King released Patton on bail with a number of conditions, including a ban on consuming alcohol and non-prescribed drugs, a curfew and an electronic tag.

Patton is also banned from having any contact with the complainants or the co-accused.

However, the judge said he could make a distinction between the two defendants.

Judge King told the court: “Whilst I took the view someone with no previous convictions could be safely released on bail in these circumstances, it is a big ask for someone with 182 previous convictions and a set of new allegations that put him in breach of bail.”

He refused bail to Law for fear of further offences, adding he could think of no bail conditions that would minimise this risk.

Both men will appear in court again on July 16.