Man accused of harassing BBC presenter Stephen Nolan is denied bail

Police claimed Robert Beck, 63, tried to hand-deliver threatening letters to the presenter and will not stop his campaign of harassment.

Refusing his application for bail, a judge ruled it was not safe to release him on any conditions.

Beck, of Bloomfield Crescent in Belfast, is charged with possessing an offensive weapon in public, disorderly behaviour and harassment of Mr Nolan.

He also faces prosecution for a separate count of pestering loyalist activist Jamie Bryson.

Beck allegedly attended the BBC’s Blackstaff House studios on October 25 last year demanding to speak to the broadcaster.

He left after security staff said police had been called, but a short time later officers found him apparently writing a letter in a nearby city centre hotel.

When his notebook was seized he became abrasive and a small claw hammer fell out of his jacket, prosecutors have contended.

Beck then allegedly asked police to do him a favour by delivering the correspondence intended for Mr Nolan, declaring he was “doing the country a service”.

He also vowed to confront the BBC star at every opportunity and to know where he frequented, according to the case against him.

Up to four attempts were said to have been made to speak to Mr Nolan and deliver letters described as concerning and threatening.

Less than 24 hours earlier Beck had been granted bail on a charge of breaching a restraining order obtained by Mr Bryson.

He allegedly defied the ban on pestering the high-profile loyalist campaigner by attempting to get Mr Nolan to carry out an investigation into him.

At Belfast Magistrates’ Court today police claimed the defendant’s behaviour then escalated into targeting the broadcaster.

“He became fixated with Mr Nolan to the extent of harassing him and causing concern to BBC staff,” an investigating detective said.

Deputy District Judge Gerard Trainor was told Beck’s actions became more and more concerning.

“He appears fixated with Mr Nolan and the BBC, and has not shown any indication that he will listen or stop his contact with him,” the detective added.

“When he was dealt with by police he shouted things like ‘Bobby Beck loves Maghaberry (Prison)’ and accused Mr Nolan of getting him arrested.”

Defence counsel Turlough Madden insisted his client did not brandish the hammer at any stage.

Beck also provided an explanation that the tool was in his coat for DIY purposes.

Seeking bail for the accused, Mr Madden argued a medical report indicates his mental health has now stabilised.

But after reading the assessment Mr Trainor ruled Beck must remain in custody.

The judge stated: “The contents of that report lead me to the inevitable conclusion that it is not safe to release this man on bail on any conditions.”