Bail denied for man accused of targeting businesses providing services to the PSNI
A Belfast man accused of a campaign of intimidation and bomb hoaxes against vehicle recovery firms providing services to the PSNI must remain in custody, a High Court judge ruled on Thursday (April 9).
James Carlin, 46, was refused bail amid claims he targeted four different businesses during a series of menacing phone calls.
Companies in the Greater Belfast and Bangor areas who recover damaged or stolen cars for police were contacted earlier this year and informed their premises were about to be blown up.
Carlin, of Whitecliff Crescent, denies multiple charges of intimidation and communicating false information about an explosion in connection with the alleged campaign. He is further accused of drug-related offences as part of the same investigation.
Prosecutors contended Carlin and co-defendant Michael Claxton, 33, of Gregg Street in Lisburn, jointly carried out the intimidation.
In a series of calls made to the Samaritans and Crimestoppers charities on January 31 and February 2, claims were made about devices being planted at the four business premises.
Timings were given for when bombs would go off, with the caller stating on one occasion a republican group was responsible. No viable devices were found at any of the offices.
Detectives subsequently established the calls were made from public phone boxes in the Lisburn area. CCTV at those locations identified the two accused in a hired car at those locations at the relevant times, according to the prosecution.
Based on DNA evidence, Carlin allegedly entered the phone boxes while Claxon remained in the vehicle. Police arrested the pair and seized three mobile phones as the car was being returned to the rental firm on February 4.
Messages found on the devices revealed evidence of drug dealing activity related to both defendants, it was contended. During interviews Carlin insisted he knew nothing about the phone calls and had no issues with any of the recovery firms.
Defence barrister Aaron Thompson argued there was nothing to suggest his client was incapable of abiding by any release conditions. “He denies the offences and he has given his (mobile phone) PIN number,” he said.
Lady Chief Justice Dame Siobhan Keegan also heard how Claxton was freed from custody under strict terms last month. But denying Carlin’s application for bail, she ruled "there is clearly a very high risk of re-offending”.