A COUNTY Fermanagh man accused of perverting the course of justice has been returned for trial, after a judge dismissed a challenge around some police evidence.

Derek Arthur Frederick McCordick (38), from The Commons, Bellanaleck, is accused of committing an act to pervert the course of justice by contacting a female by telephone on six occasions – of which five were consecutive days – encouraging and inciting her to withdraw a statement of complaint relating to other undisclosed matters.

The calls are alleged to have been made on February 25, then March 1, 2 3, 4 and 5, 2019.

Evidence disputed

McCordick appeared before Enniskillen Magistrates Court last Tuesday, April 27, where a defence lawyer advised the evidence of two witnesses – both police officers – was disputed, leading to Preliminary Investigation (PI).

PI is a process which now only exists in Northern Ireland, having long been abolished in the rest of the United Kingdom.

Both officers, one of whom led the investigation last Tuesday, answered a series of questions put to them by McCordick’s defence lawyer, the details of which cannot be reported at this time.

A stenographer recorded the cross-examination of each before these were typed up and read back to the officers, who then signed them as their evidence.

On conclusion, District Judge Steven Keown sharply dismissed the challenge, ruling there was a case to answer, and the committal process went ahead.

McCordick declined to call witnesses or give evidence on his own behalf at this stage in proceedings.

Judge Keown remanded him on continuing bail of £500 to attend Dungannon Crown Court for arraignment next month.