Coleraine building society theft suspect granted bail

Adrian Clarke was allegedly involved in the raid carried out on a Nationwide branch in Coleraine on January 10.

The 32-year-old, of Dunluce Manor in Bushmills, Co Antrim, is charged with robbing the building society of £1,253 in cash, falsely imprisoning a co-accused’s girlfriend, and carrying a firearm or imitation firearm with intent.

Police were alerted that armed and masked men had entered the other suspect’s home, tied up his partner at gunpoint and ordered him to go to the Nationwide where he performs cleaning duties.

He claimed to have been told to steal cash, and also phoned while at the building society by one the men he believed to be a robber.

Analysis allegedly revealed the call was made from a phone belonging to Clarke.

Both accused work as night porters at the Causeway Hotel near the Giant’s Causeway, the court heard.

The gun or imitation gun used in the raid has not yet been recovered.

Defence counsel Francis Rafferty argued there was nothing suspicious about his client making a call to the co-accused because they are work colleagues.

“He would be in regular phone contact – his job is to phone employees at the Causeway Hotel where they both work and advise them on their rotas,” the barrister said.

Mr Rafferty also contended that Clarke’s father and partner provided consistent alibis for him.

Granting bail, His Honour Judge Gordon Kerr QC noted it was not possible to establish if a real firearm was used in the alleged kidnapping.

Rejecting suggestions of a risk of reoffending, he decided Clarke could be released on condition he has no contact with his co-accused or any witnesses.

Clarke must also report to police four times a week and abide by a night-time curfew – except during his hotel shifts.