Man accused of arming himself with hammer for city centre fight is refused bail
A man who allegedly armed himself with a hammer to fight in Belfast city centre must remain in custody, a judge has ruled.
Joey Coleman, 26, is also accused of attacking a car during an outburst in front of onlookers at the weekend.
Refusing to release him on bail, a judge ruled: “The public have to be protected.”
Coleman, of no fixed abode, appeared at Belfast Magistrates’ Court on charges of possessing an offensive weapon with intent, disorderly behaviour and criminal damage.
Police claimed CCTV operators spotted him taking part in fighting at Donegall Place on February 14.
He had a hammer and tried to hit one of the other men before using it to strike a Mercedes CLA vehicle, it was alleged.
“The area was busy at the time of the incident, it happened in full view of members of the public,” a PSNI constable told the court.
She said Coleman was detained after leaving the scene and going to the Laganside bus depot.
When cautioned he allegedly replied “f*** off” but then provided no during police interviews.
Opposing bail, the officer contended: “He was in the city centre on a busy Saturday with a hammer.”
Defence counsel argued Coleman had just got out of prison without any further support for his drug-related issues.
“He fell back into old patterns,” she added.
District Judge Steven Keown denied bail based on the risks of re-offending and harm to the public.
Remanding Coleman in custody until March 16, Mr Keown said: “Given his record, the prospect of taking a chance on him is a million miles from reality.”