A 49-year old taxi driver from east Belfast is to stand trial later this year on charges linked to threatening a front seat passenger whilst brandishing an imitation firearm.
Brian Alexander Stalford appeared remotely at Belfast Crown Court on Monday where he denied three charges.
Stalford, from Park Avenue in Belfast, was then charged that on a date between March 1 and June 2, 2023 he possessed an imitation firearm, namely a handgun resembling a ‘Desert Eagle’ self-loading pistol, with intent to cause fear of violence.
When asked how he pleaded, Stalford answered "not guilty."
A further two charges were levelled at Stalford, namely assaulting a front seat passenger and threatening to kill the same male, on a date between March 1 and June 2, 2023.
The accused entered "not guilty" pleas to both charges.
Although no details emerged during Monday’s arraignment hearing, the charges relate to an alleged incident in a taxi last year, the footage of which went vital last June.
Judge Donna McColgan KC enquired about defence statements and was told by defence barrister Sean Devine there was a "slight issue in relation to the way in which this material came into the public domain."
Revealing the trial is expected to last no longer than three days, Judge McColgan set the date for the hearing as April 10, 2024 and said she would review the case in March.