Northern Ireland

Bail refused for man alleged to have carried out cash robbery armed with a knife and hammer

Laganside Court in Belfast
Laganside Court in Belfast Laganside Court in Belfast

A BELFAST man was remanded in custody yesterday accused of carrying out a cash robbery while armed with a knife and hammer.

Derek Armstrong (29) also allegedly assaulted and threatened to kill the victim during a suspected raid in the city.

Armstrong, of Olympia Drive, appeared before Belfast Magistrates' Court over an incident on March 16.

He is charged with robbing another man of a mobile phone and £200.

According to the prosecution he was in possession of an offensive weapon, namely a knife hammer, with intent to commit an indictable offence.

Armstrong is further charged with making threats to kill and common assault. Police opposed bail due to the seriousness of the alleged attack.

Defence solicitor Ciaran Toner argued that a female co-accused has already been released.

He claimed: "This appears to have been an argument between drug users."

But expressing concerns about any potential further offences, District Judge Fiona Bagnall pointed out that the defendant and alleged victim were known to each other.

She refused bail and remanded Armstrong in custody to appear again by video-link on May 1.