Over £20,000 worth ofdamage caused to house

John Stokes, of Roseville Park, Lisburn, is charged with a series of offences including aggravated burglary with intent to commit criminal damage to a house on September 3, 2019.

Derry Magistrate’s Court heard allegations that police were called to an ongoing incident at Glendale Road at around 8.30pm and it was reported a white van had been repeatedly rammed into a house causing ‘extensive damage’.

A burnt out van was at the scene and the property was vacant, as the owner was in England.

Police were told that between four and eight masked men had been seen around the van, armed with what appeared to be baseball bats, while it was reversing into the property.

Some of the men entered the house and the van was driven onto the road and burnt out, it has been claimed.

The court was told the men left in two cars, which police investigations revealed had false plates, and which were later found to be burnt out in Muff.

Police enquiries also revealed the van had been stolen in London at an earlier date.

The officer told the court the house was badly damaged and police had to wait for structural engineers before entering the property.

She said when forensics entered the property they found traces of blood which were found to match 21-year-old Stokes.

The officer revealed that in total £21,256 of damage was caused to the house and the living room was in a ‘dangerous condition’.

The court heard that Stokes had handed himself into police on December 3 and during interview claimed he had been at a party in the property the night before the incident, and had fallen and busted his nose.

Opposing bail, the officer said Stoke has connections to England and claimed he may not turn up for trial.

She added that the incident was connected to a feud which police have been told is resolved, however she said ‘not all intelligence is accurate’.

A defence solicitor said that the defendant had no connection to the North West and had given an explanation for the blood.

District Judge Barney McElholm said he did not believe a word of this and did not believe Stokes would turn up for his trial.

Bail was refused and Stokes was remanded in custody until December 31.