A judge has branded members of a Derry family a ‘menace’ for the amount of police time and court time they waste.
District Judge Barney McElholm made the comments when dealing with Patrick Stokes (41), of Drumard Park, who appeared before Derry Magistrates Court yesterday charged with two counts of assault against his sister.
The alleged offences were said to have taken place on August 28 and 30 last..
Ahead of any submissions being made for bail, Judge McElholm said: “I have seen this man far too often in here for assaulting the same injured party, so fear of further offences is not so much a fear as a racing certainty.”
Keith Kyle, defence solicitor, said the court would be familiar with a series of complaints made by Stokes’ sister about being assaulted and subsequent withdrawal statements and added Judge McElholm had reason to warn her about the behaviour.
He added for these offences he had been instructed that she, again, wished to make a withdrawal statement and said family members had said she had ‘a bottle of vodka in her when she made the complaint’.
Judge McElholm (pictured) said: “Does this family think the PSNI have nothing better to do than continually chase after them?”
He said their behaviour was characterised by rows then complaints followed almost always with withdrawal statements.
He added: “These people are a menace, the amount of police time they waste.
“This man has 13 previous convictions for assault, one for assault on police, one for a serious assault and the list goes on and on and on.
“Bail is refused, he can reapply if he wishes to the High Court; maybe they won’t be so familiar with him.”
The matter is back before the court again on September 22.
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