A 28-YEAR-OLD man who is currently subject to strict bail conditions was found in a drunken state beside a crashed car at the weekend, Fermanagh Magistrates Court has heard.

Richard Aidan Slattery, of Main Street, Ballinamallard, denied that he had been driving the car, instead claiming that a friend had been behind the wheel.

The defendant, who is facing a total of seven charges in connection with an incident in the summer, was brought before Fermanagh Magistrates Court on Monday.

Under his bail conditions in relation to these offences, he is banned from being drunk in public.

Slattery is charged with possessing a Class B controlled drug, namely cannabis, the criminal damage of a car belonging to Delia Brazil, possessing an offensive weapon, namely a glass bottle, at Corban Avenue, Enniskillen, unlawfully assaulting Stephen Glenn and Gerald Carroll and making a threat to damage property on August 16, 2016.

He is further charged with failing to answer bail as soon as reasonably practicable.

Appearing in the dock on Monday, Slattery confirmed that he understood the charges against him.

A PSNI officer told the court that he believed he could connect him to all the charges.

Outlining the circumstances of his arrest, the officer said that, at 10.45pm on Saturday, police were tasked to a single-vehicle road traffic collision on the Mullaghmeen Road.

A silver Vauxhall Vectra was found lying on its roof, while the defendant was standing a short distance away. He subsequently failed a preliminary breath test.

Officers carried out a further check of police records and found that Slattery was subject to a bail condition barring him from being drunk in public.

During an interview on Sunday, the defendant denied driving the car and maintained that a friend had been behind the wheel. He further alleged that this friend had made off and he tried to follow him.

The police officer told the court that Slattery had then been taken to hospital.

His vehicle is currently being forensically tested, the court heard.

Objecting to bail being granted, the policeman told the court that there was a risk of further offences being committed.

Defending solicitor, Michael Fahy, told the court that his client insisted he had been a passenger in the car.

The solicitor said that Slattery had not named the friend involved out of “misplaced loyalty”.

“Maybe that position may alter,” Mr Fahy said.

He also claimed that a forensic examination of the vehicle would determine who the driver was.

The solicitor said that, on the night in question, Slattery had consumed alcohol in his own house and, only for the accident happening, he wouldn’t have been standing outside the vehicle.

Mr Fahy added that his client had been on his way to his friend’s house in Beech Hill when the crash had occurred.

District judge, Nigel Broderick, observed that, not without some hesitation, he would admit the defendant to bail, but gave him a “clear warning” over his future conduct.

The judge said he had a “strong suspicion” over what happened and the fact that Slattery had not provided a detailed account of the driver only added to his suspicion.

Releasing him on his own bail of £500, Mr Broderick barred him from being drunk in public, including in a motor vehicle.

“Don’t make the same mistake twice or you’ll be back in Maghaberry,” the judge warned.

The case was then adjourned until next Monday (December 5).