Violent outburst in court after man remanded in custody

There was a violent outburst in the Magistrates' Court on Friday morning, during which a local man had to be restrained by three police officers after he was told he would be remanded in custody.

22-year-old Ben Brown was in court after being arrested on charges including burglary.

He was also charged with two counts of allegedly using money obtained through burglary to purchase two iPhones.

Ben Brown was arrested by the RGP after he had allegedly entered three restaurants in Casemates Square during the early hours of Wednesday morning, with the intent to steal. 

The court heard how the 22-year-old reportedly spent two hours inside one establishment trying to break open cash tills, before allegedly forcing open a gambling machine and taking £2,655.  

He was also charged with two counts of allegedly using money obtained through burglary to purchase two iPhone 14s, while knowing or suspecting that the money was the proceeds of criminal conduct.

A 16-year-old girl was charged with two counts of being in possession of criminal property, namely an iPhone 14 and £365 in cash.

Acting for the Crown, Jamie Hammond asked the lay bench to refuse bail and remand Mr Brown in custody, because he was already on court bail for other matters.

The defendant asked if he could have a curfew instead of being held in custody, which was refused - at which point Ben Brown became visibly emotional.

He then began hitting the glass inside the dock and threw papers around, before three RGP officers restrained him.

The two defendants were granted legal aid, with their case adjourned to next week.