Derry Magistrate’s Court has been told that an 18-year-old man didn’t receive a summons as it was delivered to Junior McDaid House where it was ‘disposed of’.
Emmet McSheffrey, of Oakland Park, has been charged with stealing pallets belonging to Magee University on July 18, 2016.
The court heard that the defendant has failed to appear on two occasions.
Defence solicitor Derwin Harvey said his client never received the court summons as it was delivered to Junior McDaid House where one of the occupants ‘disposed of it’.
District Judge Barney McElholm said it was served at his address in Oakland Park and he ‘would find it extremely bizarre if police posted a summons through a door, at Junior McDaid House.’
A police officer in attendance told the court that he has ‘never known one to be posted through a letterbox’.
The judge was also told that an adjournment notice sent on March 26 hadn’t been received either, to which he responded: “He’s starting to annoy me now.”
Mr Harvey informed the court that his client had voluntarily attended on April 13 and the matter before the court will be contested.
When asked to stand the 18-year-old refused at first before being advised to do so by his defence solicitor.
The case was taken to April 27 to fix a date for a contest and the defendant released on his own bail of £500 with a condition not to enter Magee Campus.
If you have a story or want to send a photo or video to us please contact the Derry Now editorial team on 028 7129 6600 for Derry City stories Or 028 7774 3970 for County Derry stories. Or you can email editor@derrynews.net at any time.
