Break-in accused was '˜drinking bottle of cooking oil'

A man accused of breaking into a north Belfast house with a knife was detained at the scene drinking cooking oil, a court heard on Tuesday.

Sean McQuillan allegedly confronted two people at the communal property on Cavehill Road in the early hours of Monday morning.

The 24-year-old’s lawyer said he has no memory of the incident due to his level of intoxication.

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McQuillan, of Oldpark Avenue in the city, appeared before Belfast Magistrates’ Court on a charge of aggravated burglary with intent to steal.

Opposing bail, a police officer claimed he was found at the house with items belonging to those living there.

Defence solicitor Ciaran Toner argued that it was a less serious incident than initially feared.

He told the court any knife found on his client had not been brought into the house, but was taken from the kitchen area.

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Mr Toner added that McQuillan was discovered inside, drinking a bottle of cooking oil in a drunken state.

The defendant has no recollection of what happened, according to his lawyer.

Granting bail, District Judge Fiona Bagnall imposed a curfew, electronic tagging and alcohol ban.

She also ordered McQuillan to keep away from the Cavehill Road area.

He is due back in court again in July.