AN alleged teenage car thief was freed on bail on Saturday after being charged with stealing a car from a Co Antrim dealership.
Corey Benson (18) appeared at Belfast Magistrates Court charged with stealing a Peugot 207 from the Charles Hurst showroom on the city's Boucher Road on Friday afternoon.
Benson, from Servia Street in Belfast, was also accused of aggravated vehicle theft, driving without a licence, driving dangerously on the Ross Road and driving without insurance.
He was arrested with two co-accused who remain in custody.
A police officer said she believed she could connect Benson to each of the offences.
The car, allegedly driven by Benson, collided with another vehicle on the forecourt before being spotted later on the Divis estate "doing handbrake turns".
Objecting to bail, the officer said "we feel that there's a major risk to the public" given the manner of the driving and the fact that it was in the middle of the day.
Defence solicitor Emmanuel Morgan submitted that Benson could be released with conditions given that he had not offended for several years.
Releasing Benson on his own bail of £250 with his father to act as a £500 surety, District Judge Ken Nixon barred the alleged car thief from contacting his two co-accused.
He is also barred from being in a private motor car and from the Boucher Road area.
Benson was also ordered to report to police three times a week. He is due to appear again in court on October 19.
