Northern Ireland

Alleged car thief blames sex act for DNA presence

A man accused of stealing five cars during a raid on a Co Tyrone dealership claimed a sex act with his mistress may explain a DNA link to the scene, the High Court has heard.

Stephen Maughan allegedly broke into Moyway Motors in Dungannon as part of a week-long crime spree on both sides of the border.

The 26-year-old, of Callan Bridge Park, Armagh, was refused bail on a total of 17 charges, including three burglaries, six counts of taking a motor vehicle without authority, and handling stolen goods.

He is also accused of having stolen number plates falsely fitted to his own car from another vehicle parked outside the Killyhevlin Hotel in Enniskillen, Co Fermanagh.

All of the alleged offences occurred between April 16-24 this year.

Two Mercedes cars, a Volkswagen Golf and two Audi A6s were said to have been taken after the gates at Moyway Motors were rammed in the first incident.

Prosecution counsel Conor Maguire claimed DNA found at the entry and on the steering wheel of one recovered vehicle is linked to Maughan.

Following his arrest the defendant gave a reason for the possible forensic connection, the court heard.

He told police he was involved in a sex act in the car with his mistress.

"Or he gave an alternative that he could have been in Moyway six or twelve months ago looking at the cars."

The following day the same gang raided a salvage yard in Crumlin, Co Antrim and stole a Toyota Hilux in Clones, Co Monaghan, according to the prosecution.

Mr Maguire claimed a Ford Kuga registered to Maughan is linked to the offences.

He set out how that car also allegedly attempted to ram the front barrier of engineering premises in Dungannon.

Richard McConkey, defending, confirmed Maughan denies the charges against him.