Belfast man charged with threat to kill mother

Francis Lagan is also accused of smashing the front of a cooker during an outburst at her home in the city.

Armed response police officers had to be called to the scene last Friday night, a judge was told.

The 26-year-old, of St John’s Close, faces charges of criminal damage, false imprisonment, threats to kill and common assault.

He was refused bail during a first appearance before Belfast Magistrates’ Court.

Opposing his release, a PSNI constable claimed Lagan subjected his mother to verbal abuse when she arrived home.

The accused allegedly threw a cup at a cooker, smashing the glass door, and hurled another cup at window blinds.

According to the officer Lagan then pushed the kitchen door shut, preventing his mother from leaving.

It was claimed that he then put a metal fork to his own throat and said no-one was getting out.

The court heard he told his mother: “I could quite easily just f****** kill you.”

Amid fears she was about to be assaulted, her daughter phoned the police.

Lagan allegedly pulled a picture from the wall, damaging a glass table, as he left.

He was arrested and taken to the Royal Victoria Hospital for treatment to a self-inflicted wound to the arm, the constable added.

Seeking bail, a defence lawyer argued that Lagan should not be kept in prison due to his injury.

But denying the application, District Judge George Conner said: “I think there’s just too high a risk of further offending.”

Lagan was remanded in custody to appear again by video-link on September 26.