Postal van robbery accused refused bail

Wayne Campbell, 34, of Clon Elagh, and 31-year-old Robert Wiltshire, of Bishop Street, are jointly charged with robbery, arson, taking a car without authority and dangerous driving on November 19.

Wiltshire is further charged with failing to stop or remain at the scene of an accident, failing to report it to police and having no licence.

Campbell also faces a number of drugs offences allegedly committed between January 2 and May 28.

They include being concerned in the supply of cocaine, cannabis, diazepam and pregabalin.

Derry Magistrate’s Court, sitting in Dungannon, heard allegations that a Ford Fiesta was stolen from Clon Elagh at around 8:20am on Thursday and was involved in a collision a few minutes later.

It is alleged two men were in the vehicle, which made it’s way to Bligh’s Lane.

The two men allegedly approached a postal worker in the area, held him by the neck and said ‘we are the IRA don’t say anything’.

The court was told the men then removed almost 50 parcels from the postal van and put them into the stolen vehicle.

It is alleged the car was driven to Bishop Street and the parcels were unloaded in the back garden of Wiltshire’s flat.

The car was then driven to Millar Street and set on fire as it was still moving.

An investigating officer said that Wiltshire was identified by CCTV in the vehicle.

He told the court Campbell was identified by a taxi driver, who allegedly picked him up from the rear of Wiltshire’s address and took him home.

The officer added that a member of the public in Clon Elagh also identified Campbell as being involved in the theft of the Ford Fiesta.

Police opposed bail applications for both defendants.

In relation to Campbell, the officer said he has relevant previous convictions and is currently on bail for other motoring offences.

He said Campbell was only released from custody earlier this month and police have concerns he will commit further offences.

Turning to Wiltshire, the officer said that the 31-year-old made admissions during police interview but denied making threats to the postal worker.

He told the court that the 31-year-old had identified Campbell as his co-accused.

The officer said police have concerns Wiltshire is a risk to the public, given the serious nature of the offences and because the car was set on fire 20 metres from the entrance to a primary school.

Steven Mooney, defending Campbell, said the prosecution case against his client is ‘tenuous’.

He said the evidence is ‘pretty much non-existent’ as there is no forensic evidence and the main identification evidence comes from a co-accused.

The barrister added that the 34-year-old denies the charges and applied for him to be released on bail with conditions.

Maeliosa Barr, defending Wiltshire, said his client made full admissions and has expressed ‘remorse and regret’.

He said that his client’s family have given £1,000 to the owner of the stolen vehicle and are ‘distraught’ at his involvement.

Mr Barr said Wiltshire, who has a limited record, suffered a brain injury as a child and had to be supported during police interview by an appropriate adult.

District Judge Mark McGarrity refused bail for both defendants, stating there was a risk of further offences and that could not be managed by bail conditions.

He said that if evidence was presented to the court ‘when the dust settles’ about Wiltshire’s brain injury and what impact that has on his behaviour bail could be considered.

Both men were remanded in custody to appear in court again via videolink on November 26.