By GARRETT HARGAN
A 20-year-old man from Derry who is ‘addicted to prescription medication’ has been ordered to immediately consult with a local GP after being released on bail.
Callum Fisher, 20, of no fixed abode, appeared in Derry Magistrate’s Court by way of video link from Hydebank prison.
He is charged with possessing Class C drug pregabalin, possessing it with intent to supply, disorderly behaviour and resisting police on March 24, 2018.
Objecting to bail a police office provided details of the case. She said that on March 24 around 4.30pm police were driving on Queen’s Quay when they observed three males and a female walking along the quay.
They were said to have been drinking a bottle of Buckfast and families were giving them a ‘wide berth’. Police officers decided to talk to the group and ‘they all appeared to be under the influence of some substance’.
Fisher was then said to have dropped numerous packets through a fence which separated the quay from the River Foyle. He attempted to reach over and push the packets into the water but officers took him away from the items.
The PSNI officer said Fisher became ‘very aggressive’ by shouting and swearing at police and suggested he was going to ‘throw himself in the river’. The court was told that the 20-year-old threw himself against the railings and ‘appeared to be trying to kick the remaining items off’ the ledge.
He was then arrested for the alleged offences before the court, when he said to officers: “Don’t be going to my f***ing ma’s house, I’m no fixed abode.” While Fisher was being conveyed to Strand Road Police Station PSNI officers recovered ‘four blister packs, each containing seven 300mg capsules’ of pregabalin.
The defendant was said to have remained ‘volatile’ while in custody and when interviewed the following day told officers he would take four of the 300mg tablets every day. He said it was for his anxiety but the officer told the court ‘he doesn’t do anything else for it and has no GP.’
Fisher, who has seventeen previous convictions, refused to provide the PIN codes for his phone. The court heard he has had bench warrants issued for his arrest in the past and has previously breached court bail conditions.
Raising concerns, the officer said Fisher has an ‘addiction to prescription medication’ and there are fears that he will ‘continue to be involved in drugs criminality’. As the defendant is under ‘threat management’ the PSNI officer said police wouldn’t be happy with a bail address in Derry.
Defence solicitor Paddy MacDermott said there are pleas to the charges except the supply charge as the tablets were for personal use. There was a ‘small amount of tablets’ - twenty-eight in total – and he said his client was homeless at the time of his arrest.
“If he was dealing it would be a very small amount to keep himself going,” Mr MacDermott added.
‘Overly aggressive’
District Judge Barney McElholm commented: “The problem the community has is these young people are abusing drugs like pregabalin and Xanax, combining it with alcohol, and it quite frankly sends them off their heads. They can become overly aggressive and violent.
“How am I to be satisfied he’s not a danger to the public? He’s gotten no treatment, has no GP, counselling and is clearly addicted – taking four of these things a day. I could impose all sorts of bail conditions but it doesn’t mean he will comply.”
He added: “What if he goes out and seriously injured a member of the public?
“If there were any proper resources a bail package could be set up.”
Suggesting the defendant would be granted bail from a higher court, Judge McElholm released Fisher on his own bail of £750 to reside at an address outside of Derry that is approved beforehand by the PSNI.
He must not be within five miles of the city, is prohibited from consuming non-prescribed drugs or alcohol, must submit to the necessary tests, and is banned from using any electronic communication device and has been ordered to register with a GP to assist with his addiction with 72 hours of his release.
The 20-year-old will appear at a court sitting again on May 3.
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