A 32-year-old man from Co Down has been charged with causing criminal damage to a flag bearing the image of former X Factor star Eoghan Quigg.

Andrew Watson, from Church Grove, Clough near Downpatrick, is alleged to have committed the offence in the village of Drumahoe on the outskirts of Londonderry following the Lundy's Day parade in the city on December 6 of last year.

He is further charged with causing criminal damage to a woman's car at the same location on the same date.

When he was informed of the charge relating to damage of the Dungiven singer flag, District Judge Barney McElholm asked: “Is that an offence?”

A defence solicitor replied: “It is in Derry”. The case was adjourned until July 22 on which date the defendant must give his attitude to the charges.

Quigg, who came third in the X-Factor competition in 2008, is a cult figure in parts of the north west.

The baby-faced teenager captured the attention of the media and his boyish charm melted the hearts of mums and teen fans across the country. When he finally crashed out of the talent contest he was given a hero’s welcome in his home town.

The popular teenager was paraded on an open-top bus as thousands of locals filled the town’s streets to welcome home the singing sensation.

During the competition Quigg mania gripped the north west and huge posters bearing his distinctive spiky hair were erected around the district.

In the build up to the X-Factor final the Dungiven lad played to a crowd of over 5,000 screaming fans who had packed into Derry’s Guildhall Square.

Despite going on tour with Westlife after the high-profile talent show work for the talented teenager has dried up.

His decline from the spotlight wasn’t helped by his first and only album, simply titled Eoghan Quigg, which was panned by the critics.

Background

Eoghan Quigg was destined for the bright lights of the stage from an early age. Born in Dungiven on July 12, 1991 his talent was spotted when he began singing along to Disney cartoons, aged just two. After appearing in several school plays he took part in ITV’s X-Factor in 2008. Despite having huge support the teen was beaten into third place.