Maghera man allegedly threatened to burn property
A man allegedly threatened to burn down a property and, it is claimed, said he would do so even if there was a child inside.
Stephen Johnston (29), with an address given as Tullykeeran Gardens, Maghera, is alleged to have made a threat to damage property and is accused of breaching a Restraining Order.
The charges relate to March 21/22 this year. He appeared at Antrim Magistrates Court, sitting in Ballymena.
The defendant allegedly told a woman: "Next time I will burn your house to the ground." When he was told a child would be present, he allegedly said: "I will burn her too".
The phone call had been recorded and it was provided to police, an officer said. The defendant had 60 previous convictions.
When interviewed, he told police the comments were "made in the heat of the moment during an argument".
The defendant had an "extensive domestic violence history".
Bail was refused and the case adjourned to Coleraine Magistrates Court on April 20.