Heroin addict charged with driving stolen van refused bail

Belfast Magistrates' Court (Niall Carson/PA)

Alan Erwin

April 05 2021 02:51 PM

A heroin addict allegedly drove off in a stolen van after it crashed with his female co-accused behind the wheel, a court heard today.

Dominic Bond (32) was arrested near the scene in the Holyland area of south Belfast in the early hours of Sunday morning.

Bond, of Ulsterdale Street in the city, faces charges of aggravated vehicle taking causing damage, driving while disqualified, and failing to stop, report or remain at an accident.

Belfast Magistrates Court was told the Mercedes Vito had been stolen from an address at Agincourt Avenue.

Hours later a loud bang was heard at a location about 200 metres away.

Police said the van had reversed into a building, causing extensive damage to both the vehicle and property.

Security cameras allegedly showed a woman in the driver’s seat at that stage.

Bond then swapped over from the passenger’s side and drove the van away, it was claimed, before being stopped and arrested nearby.

He denies the allegations and has not been charged with any burglary offence, his lawyer stressed.

Solicitor John Burke said the case involved allegations that the woman — who was released on police bail — caused the crash.

“The police case is that (Bond) simply drives the vehicle to extricate it from the scene of the accident,” Mr Burke submitted.

Seeking bail for his client, the lawyer added: “His heroin addiction is well rehearsed.”

However, District Judge Amanda Henderson refused the application and remanded Bond in custody until April 28.

She said: “The risk of re-offending is so high the court will have to refuse bail.”

Heroin addict charged with driving stolen van refused bail

Belfast Beat Newsletter

Most Read

Top Videos

'A complete mess': builder leaves couple with badly finished bathroom

What you can do as restrictions ease in Northern Ireland on Friday April 23.

Video: GARC thug threatens Sunday Life journalist during Ardoyne parade protest

Latest Northern Ireland

Latest