A man described by police as “one of the most prolific” rioters in serious disorder earlier this month was remanded into custody on Saturday.
Objecting to a bail application for 24-year-old Dale Paul Andrew Mason at Belfast Magistrates Court, Constable Reid told the court police feared there is a “serious risk” of re-offending given his record and a “contentious parade” next weekend.
Mason, she said, “was one of the most prolific offenders in this riot”.
Mason, from Hopewell Avenue in Belfast, is accused of rioting, causing criminal damage to the roof slates and a plant belonging to Clifton Nursing Home and two police landrovers on September 2 this year.
He is further charged with cultivating cannabis and possessing class B cannabis at his home on September 21 this year.
The charges of rioting relate to serious public disorder at Carlisle Circus and Denmark Street earlier this month when police came under attack from various missiles, petrol bombs and fireworks following a contentious parade in the north of the city leaving more than 60 police officers injured and seven in hospital.
Mason’s solicitor said he was “very much throwing himself at the mercy of the court” in asking for bail, adding that he had attended a peaceful protest before the disturbances began.
Refusing the application and remanding Mason into custody to appear again via videolink on October 19, District Judge Bernadette Kelly said he had “an unedifying record” with an “obvious refusal to accept court orders”.
Comments