A man who is accused of punching a Co Armagh coffee shop owner in the stomach and threatening to “stab” him to death has been granted bail subject to him staying at an address outside the area.
Court heard that the 30-year-old is currently in this jurisdiction on licence from London for, in his own words, “selling drugs”.
Dean Bradley, of Pound Court in Newtownhamilton, appeared at Newry Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday following his arrest the previous day on a total of six charges.
These were namely common assault, driving with excess alcohol, threats to kill, threats to damage property, failing to provide a preliminary breath sample and failing to provide an evidential breath sample.
Appearing via videolink from police custody, Bradley confirmed that he understood the charges and was connected to the same by a constable.
Defence solicitor Conor Downey made no question to the connection and informed the court that an opposed bail application was to be made.
The constable outlined that on April 27, at 5pm, police received a report of a male riding on a blue scooter in the Newtownhamilton area whilst holding a bottle of Buckfast.
Officers attended and observed this defendant, who matched the description given to police, standing beside a blue scooter eating a sandwich.
Due to a smell of alcohol being detected, a preliminary breath test was requested but Bradley is said to have refused to comply and was subsequently arrested.
Through further inquires, police were alerted that a local coffee shop owner alleged that he had been assaulted by the same male.
He claimed that, the same day, Bradley had entered his store and asked for food but was informed that the establishment stopped serving at 3pm.
At this, the shop owner alleged that the defendant began to become aggressive towards him, shouting phrases such as; “I have seen you driving your BMW” and “I will smoke you out and I will stab you to death”.
He also claimed that Bradley had punched him in the stomach during the incident.
The alleged injured party stated that he remained calm, even making the defendant a sandwich, which he was alleged to have been eating prior to his arrest by police.
Objecting to bail, the constable said that there was a “risk of reoffending” and informed court that Bradley was currently in this jurisdiction on licence from London.
She also revealed that the defendant had two previous convictions in this jurisdiction, along with 52 on the mainland and 36 in the Republic of Ireland.
The constable also stated that no suitable bail address had been proffered with his current home being just a three minute walk from the alleged injured party’s store.
Mr Downey stated that his client had “no intention” of attending the premises of the alleged injured party.
He commented: “I have not had the benefit of seeing his record in the Republic of Ireland or England but he has two convictions of a motoring nature in this jurisdiction and they are of some vintage.
“He has lived at that address a considerable amount of time and not come to the attention to police.”
Mr Downey added that this was a case based on “identification” which was likely to take some time to conclude.
When asked by Deputy District Judge Anne Marshall, what his conviction in London related to, the defendant replied: “Selling drugs, but I don’t do that no more.”
Deputy District Judge Marshall granted Bradley his own bail of £250 to an address approved by police outside the Newtownhamilton area.
Other conditions include that he is not to consume alcohol and have no contact with the alleged injured party.
The case was then adjourned to Armagh Magistrates’ Court on May 4 for an update.
