‘Head-shave’ defendant refused bail

An application had been made in Antrim Crown Court this morning (Monday) on behalf of Nathan Telford (23), of Wilson Avenue, who is due for sentencing in January after admitting two counts of assaulting a woman, thereby occasioning her actual bodily harm, and common assault.

The court was told that Telford was applying for bail in order to see his daughter, who has suffered from health difficulties, at Christmas.

But Judge Gordon Kerr dismissed the application, describing it as “entirely inappropriate”.

Telford was remanded in custody to appear for sentencing at Laganside Court on January 7, along with his co-accused in the case, Alister William Hamilton (23), of Drumtara, Paul Joshua Balmer (42), of Crosshill View, Kells, Paula Wilson (21).