Man accused of harassing Stephen Nolan 'needs a safety net' says judge
A man accused of demanding to speak to Stephen Nolan while armed with a hammer requires a “safety net” to deal with any further manic episodes, a High Court judge declared today.
Robert Beck allegedly turned up at BBC studios in Belfast and tried to hand-deliver threatening letters as part of a campaign of harassment against the presenter.
The 63-year-old mounted a fresh bid to be released on bail amid suggestions he is no longer suffering from a bout of hypomania.
But adjourning his application, Mr Justice McAlinden stressed that support measures must be put in place.
“It is important that we try everything we can to ensure there is some form of safety net in the community for this man,” he said.
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.
Police have claimed the defendant’s behaviour then escalated into targeting the broadcaster, describing it as a “fixation”.
Beck has allegedly shown no indication that he will listen or stop attempting to make contact.
He was said to have shouted “Bobby Beck loves Maghaberry (Prison)” and accused Mr Nolan of getting him arrested.
Defence lawyers say the hammer was never brandished at any stage.
Beck also provided an explanation that the tool was in his coat for DIY purposes.
Barrister Turlough Madden argued a medical report indicated his client’s mental health has stabilised since he was initially diagnosed as being hypomanic last November.
Mr Justice McAlinden acknowledged the length of time Beck has now spent in custody.
However, he also noted previous episodes of bipolar behaviour and not taking mood stabilising medication.
Putting the case on hold for two weeks, the judge indicated he will make a decision at that stage.
He added: “I would like to see some safety net in place for this man… rather than having nothing in the community, lapsing into non-compliance with his medication and then having another of these florid episodes.”