Northern Ireland

Belfast man accused of attempted bus hijack denied bail

Kenneth Neil Colwell - who is currently on remand in HMP Maghaberry - is facing six charges linked to three attempted hijackings on Belfast's North Street earlier this year 
Kenneth Neil Colwell - who is currently on remand in HMP Maghaberry - is facing six charges linked to three attempted hijackings on Belfast's North Street earlier this year  Kenneth Neil Colwell - who is currently on remand in HMP Maghaberry - is facing six charges linked to three attempted hijackings on Belfast's North Street earlier this year 

A 24-YEAR-OLD man accused of attempting to hijack three vehicles on the same street on the same day, including a bus with 10 passengers on board, has been refused bail.

Kenneth Neil Colwell - who is currently on remand in HMP Maghaberry - is facing six charges linked to three attempted hijackings on Belfast's North Street earlier this year.

From Forthriver Link in north Belfast, he is charged with three counts of attempted hijacking, two counts of possessing an imitation firearm with intent to cause fear of violence, and a charge of using disorderly behaviour at the Royal Victoria Hospital in March.

At Belfast Crown Court on Friday, a solicitor acting on behalf of Mr Colwell applied for compassionate bail for him to be released for several days over the festive period to spend time with his partner and their two-year old daughter.

Telling Judge Sandra Crawford that Mr Colwell has been on remand since his arrest on March 23, the solicitor said that if released on bail, he would adhere to any bail conditions imposed.

However, a Crown prosecutor said that bail was being opposed for a number of reasons, including a fear that if Mr Colwell was released for several days, he may abscond or re-offend.

Revealing that the accused has 40 previous convictions, the prosecutor said that the offences he is accused of include trying to take by force a car driven by a lone female motorist and attempting to hijack a Translink bus with 10 passengers on board.

The offences allegedly took place on the same day he was released from custody on a separate matter.

The judge said that after listening to submissions and taking into consideration Mr Colwell's "very extensive record" coupled with the fears raised over re-offending and absconding, she was refusing the application for bail.