Hi °C | Lo °C A PSNI officer accused of using police files to provide information on a man who was later murdered has been “wandering round Belfast crying”, Newry Magistrates Court has heard.
Andrew Donaldson (34) is charged with misconduct in a public office and breaching the Data Protection Act.
Donaldson, a Banbridge-based police officer, is on bail over allegations that he accessed a computer to pass information about Audrius Aukstolis to a “female friend” on January 5.
The 29-year-old Lithuanian, who had been investigated over cases of kidnap, rape and assault of women, was stabbed to death in Dungannon a week later.
Donaldson was granted bail on February 8 but was back in the dock yesterday after he breached one of his conditions by having a mobile phone.
The lawyer said: “He is in a deep depression and has been wandering round Belfast crying when he's not with his children.”
District Judge Bates told him: “You put yourself in this position”. He added that he would not revoke bail.
Donaldson will reappear to face the original charges on April 4.
