The attempted armed robbery of a corner shop in Derry at the weekend was carried out to fund a £500 “drugs debt,” Derry Magistrates Court has heard.
Before the court were Seosamh Deehan (19), of Gweebarra Park in Foyle Springs, and James Rush (20), of Glen Road.
Both were jointly charged with the attempted robbery of Northland Stores on Northland Avenue on Friday night last.
They were also accused of possessing an offensive weapon, namely a knife, and of conspiring to rob the corner shop.
A PSNI detective told the court he could connect both accused to the charges.
The detective told the court that approximately 9.00pm on Friday, Deehan, wearing a balaclava and armed with a knife, entered the shop and demanded money from a member of staff.
The court heard Deehan was then “tackled” by a member of the public and held until help was sought.
The detective told the court Rush was at nearby Cedar Street where he got into a taxi, ordering the driver to drive slowly past the shop before telling him to drive on,
The court heard both were detected shoplifting in the Richmond Centre the previous evening and that Deehan said he carried out the offences “under duress” to pay a £500 “drugs debt.”
Under cross-examination from defence solicitors, the detective told the court Rush did not enter the shop and did not have a weapon.
He told the court when Rush got into the taxi, he told the driver to stop at the shop to “pick up Deeks” who had been buying cigarettes.
The detective added Rush had told police he had informed Deehan he wanted nothing to do with the robbery and “jumped in” the taxi to leave the scene.
The court heard Deehan co-operated with police and made a “full admission” during interviews.
The detective informed the court Deehan had a drug addiction and was under the influence of drugs when the offence was committed.
Both accused were released on their own bail of £750, ordered to be electronically tagged, stay away from the Rosemount area and not to be in contact with witnesses.
They were also told not to consume or be in the possession of proscribed drugs, legal highs or alcohol and ordered not to be in contact with each other.
Resident Magistrate Barney McElhom released Deehan to reside with his mother and adhere to a 7.00pm-7.00am curfew.
Rush was released to stay with his sister in England. He was also ordered to adhere to an 8.00pm – 8.00am curfew and told not to enter Northern Ireland unless “directed” to attend court.
Both accused were remanded to appear at Derry Magistrates Court on 10 November next.
Mr McElholm told Rush he would be excused for appearing in person at that hearing.
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