Portrush man with letters 'UTH' tattooed on knuckles allegedly became trapped for six hours after breaking into a van
A man with the letters 'UTH' tattooed on his knuckles is alleged to have broken into a van at a north coast holiday park and trapped himself for six hours.
David Leighton (33), with an address listed as Trostan Gardens in Portrush, appeared at Ballymena Magistrates Court.
He faces ten charges including tampering with a vehicle and criminal damage to a van in Portrush on September 27 last year.
He is also charged with stealing a set of golf clubs worth £1,200 and a £1,200 mountain bike on September 27. On October 15 last year he allegedly stole AirPods worth £200.
On February 2 this year he allegedly stole a stethoscope and sunglasses worth £250. On February 3, it is alleged, he stole a bank card, and items including an iPad and he is accused of using the bank card.
Objecting to bail, a police officer said a van was broken into at Carrick Dhu holiday park at Portrush on September 27 last year.
A male was inside the van and had later left the van and departed towards Portush. A stolen bicycle and golf clubs were located beside the van.
The back doors of the van had been damaged and when staff first saw the van a screwdriver was prized between the back doors.
The officer said the male in the van said he couldn't get out and claimed to be the owner of the van. When he left the van he was followed to his address.
The real owner of the van said the golf clubs had been removed from it.
Witnesses described the suspect as having distinctive tattoos on his knuckles. A police officer said it said 'UTH'.
CCTV showed a male on a bike and he then entered the van and removed golf clubs.
Door handles of other vehicles were tried and then a male goes into the van and the rear door closed behind him and he is "there for approximately six hours before he is helped out of the van".
Damage of '£2,700' was caused inside the van. A bid was made to remove a partition between the front and back of the van and then he tried to open the door. The defendant's DNA was in the van.
The court was told on October 15 last year vehicles in Portrush were rummaged through and AirPods were stolen. The defendant was found "unconscious" and had the AirPods.
On February 2 a vehicle was entered in Portrush and items taken included a stethoscope. A stethoscope was found at the defendant's home.
Items including an iPad were taken from a car in Portrush on February 3 and the iPad was flagging up as being at the defendant's address.
A stolen bank card was used at shops in Portrush and the defendant was identified on CCTV.
A defence lawyer said the defendant said he did not know what a stethoscope was and says somebody must have brought it to his house.
District Judge Nigel Broderick remanded the defendant into custody saying there was a record of 45 previous convictions and a risk of further offending. The case was adjourned to Coleraine Magistrates Court on March 2.