Man charged with dangerous driving - without being behind the wheel - after alleged brake incident

Christopher McGregor (23), with an address listed as Burleigh Drive in Carrickfergus, allegedly committed offences on January 5 this year.

Although he was not at the wheel he is also charged with driving whilst disqualified; absence of insurance and absence of a driving licence.

A police officer told Antrim Magistrates' Court, sitting in Ballymena, he believed the charges could be made out as the police contend the defendant was "in control of the vehicle to a certain point; he was able to cause that vehicle to skid on a road".

The defendant also faces charges including causing criminal damage to the car; threatening to damage his mum's address; and theft of £20 from his mother.

The police officer said the defendant's mother was driving along Steeple Road in the Antrim area when the defendant, sitting in the front passenger seat, allegedly "pulled the handbrake up causing her to skid along the road".

The court heard the defendant threatened to "burn down" his mother's house if she contacted police.

The officer said the defendant is "in the middle of quite a rut of drug abuse and drug taking".

A defence lawyer said he took issue with the driving charges being brought to the court.

District Judge Nigel Broderick ruled there was sufficient evidence to connect him to the charges at this stage.

When interviewed, the defendant denied pulling the handbrake up.

The court heard there was a potential bail address in Antrim town.

The defendant had 46 previous conditions.

Bail was refused and the case was adjourned to February 4.