Belfast man accused of trying to abduct girl, 12

George Kincaid was refused bail amid claims he grabbed the child and then chased her when she struggled free.

The 27-year-old denies any intention to snatch the girl during the incident at Royal Avenue last Saturday afternoon.

His lawyer argued that it was a drunken case of mistaken identity.

Kincaid, of Silverstream Avenue, appeared before Belfast Magistrates’ Court charged with assaulting and attempting to abduct the child.

He faces further counts of disorderly behaviour, resisting police and assault on a security guard at the nearby Castlecourt shopping complex.

A judge was told Kincaid lifted the girl off her feet with both arms around her.

When she broke free and ran to her mother the accused allegedly pursued her until he was detained.

Defence solicitor Matt Higgins contended that Kincaid should not have been charged with the attempted abduct offence.

“This is not a man running about trying to put children in the back of cars,” he told the court.

Mr Higgins said his client had been at a party the night before, taking alcohol for the first time in three years.

Kincaid was then chased into the city centre by five people who attacked him at the rear of Castlecourt, it was claimed.

According to his lawyer he was staggered about in a confused and potentially concussed state, swinging out at the security guard amid fears of a further assault.

Minutes later Kincaid was said to have stumbled into a queue at a cash machine on Royal Avenue, lifting the girl and holding her up.

When she broke free he chased after her to apologise, Mr Higgins said.

“This was mistaken identity, he realised his mistake and he was running to say sorry,” the lawyer added.

He also claimed the child could be left more traumatised if she wrongly believed a dangerous man had tried to take her.

But denying bail, District Judge Fiona Bagnall cited the risk of further offences.

She remanded Kincaid in custody to appear again by video-link on September 27.