A 24-YEAR-OLD man facing a series of motoring and drugs offences has been refused bail due to the “high risk” he poses to pedestrians and other road users.

Connor Anthony Logan, of Inishkeen Close, Enniskillen, is charged with two counts of dangerous driving on Coa Road and Cornagrade Road, using a motor vehicle without insurance, not having a vehicle test certificate, breaching a traffic sign, failing to stop for police at Tempo Road, driving with excess speed and driving while disqualified on January 19 this year.

He is further charged with possessing a Class B controlled drug, namely cannabis, and a Class C controlled drug, namely diazepam, and possession of the cannabis with intent to supply on the same date.

Logan appeared before Fermanagh Magistrates Court on Monday afternoon, via videolink from Maghaberry prison, for a bail application in the case, which was opposed by the PSNI.

Outlining the nature of the allegations against the defendant, a police officer told the court that, at 10.45am, the defendant was observed driving a Citroen Saxo. Checks carried out by police revealed that there was no insurance in place.

The officer alleged that the defendant was waiting at roadworks before ignoring a red light and pulling out at speed. Despite the police patrol activating blue lights and sirens in a bid to bring the defendant to a stop, he continued to accelerate away.

During the pursuit that followed, Logan allegedly overtook two vehicles while driving through a hatched area on the road, drove the wrong way around a roundabout and overtook on a blind corner. Officers eventually stopped following the vehicle, but later spoke to the previous owner.

The police officer told the court that the previous owner claimed that he had only sold the car to the defendant at 10.20am that morning.

Meanwhile, the police officer said that, at midday on January 19, police on patrol at Cornagrade Road, in the area of a local convenience store, pulled up alongside the defendant’s vehicle.

Upon seeing the police, the defendant allegedly spun his tyres as he drove off. The car was later located at Galliagh Terrace, but the defendant was not there. A search of the surrounding area was unsuccessful.

During a further search of the defendant’s home address, the police found quantities of cannabis, diazepam and a psychoactive substance known as ‘Smile’. Upon leaving the property, officers saw Logan and later detained him in an alleyway. They allegedly found a logbook for the vehicle in his pocket.

The police officer told the court that, when he was interviewed, the defendant denied driving the vehicle and also denied ownership.

In relation to the seized drugs, he only admitted using the psychoactive substance and when he was asked what the cannabis had been doing there, he replied: “God knows.”

Opposing bail, the police officer said there was a risk of the defendant committing further offences if released from custody.

Defending counsel, Ciaran Roddy, told the court that his client had been serving time in prison on remand since his arrest on January 19.

Conceding that the defendant had an “appalling” driving record, the barrister said he had used his time in custody to reflect and engage in a number of courses Mr Roddy said that Logan was away from addictive substances like alcohol and drugs and would engage with any bail conditions.

District judge, Nigel Broderick, observed that the defendant had a “very poor” driving record and was facing serious charges. He was concerned that, if the defendant was committed to bail, there was a “high risk” that he would re-offend. Refusing bail, Mr Broderick ruled that it would not be appropriate to release Logan as it would only place pedestrians and other road users at risk. He remanded the defendant in custody to appear via videolink, on Monday, June 13.