Man appears before Coleraine Magistrates

A MAN has appeared in court in connection with the discovery of a bicycle and bag containing a number of suspicious items in the Strand Road area of Coleraine earlier this month.

The 40-year-old, who was arrested in Portstewart on Saturday, 22 February, appeared from custody before the town's Magistrates Court today Monday, 24 February.

He faced charges including false imprisonment, common assault, theft, possessing offensive weapons, disclosing a private sexual image of a female without her consent and criminal damage.

The defendant did not speak during the hearing and was connected to the charges by a police constable.

There was no bail application but defence lawyer Andrew Kinney said his client contested all matters.

District Judge Peter King, who heard that the defendant and the alleged victim were known to each other, adjourned the case until 24 March for a prosecution update.