Templepatrick man allegedly stole car from outside hotel near village
A man allegedly stole a car after the vehicle’s owner realised the keys were missing after he left a golf bag before going to a restaurant at the Hilton Hotel at Templepatrick, a court heard on Tuesday (May 28).
Stuart Patchett (29), with an address listed as Templeton Park in Templepatrick, is charged in relation to a Volkswagen Passat taken from the Hilton Hotel near the village on May 26 this year
He is also charged with taking the vehicle without the consent of the owner; driving while disqualified and absence of insurance at Paradise Walk at Templepatrick.
A police officer told Antrim Magistrates Court, sitting in Ballymena, hotel staff saw Patchett leaving in the Passatt.
The court heard a short time earlier the defendant had been in the restaurant but was asked to leave after previously being "banned" from the hotel.
The officer said the defendant "suffers from both drug and alcohol issues".
A defence lawyer said it was accepted the defendant "needs to address his alcohol misuse".
Refusing bail, District Judge Nigel Broderick said he had no confidence Patchett would stay off drink and there was a "very high likelihood" of re-offending.
Judge Broderick feared that if released the defendant may drive with drink taken and there was a risk that could cause "somebody's death". The case was adjourned to June 25.