Man in court over heist kidnap

http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/northern_ireland/8067019.stm

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A Downpatrick man has been remanded in custody accused of kidnapping a mother and her four-year-old son as part of an £85,000 security firm robbery.

Belfast Magistrates Court heard police claim Michael Clarke, 29, of Colmcille Road, was part of an organised crime gang who carried out the operation.

It took place in Belfast and County Down 12 months ago.

A detective sergeant alleged that the defendant was involved in collecting the cash at a drop off point.

This was in an industrial estate in north Belfast.

Mr Clarke is charged with kidnapping the woman and her son, who were taken from their home in Killough and held hostage at a house in south Belfast last May.

He is also accused of falsely imprisoning them and the child's father, and robbing Brink's Security of £85,000.

After the detective said he could connect Mr Clarke with the alleged offences, defence solicitor Brendan Blaney sought confirmation that there was no evidence to physically connect his client with the kidnapping.

The officer claimed the accused was linked to collecting the money that had been dropped off.

He added: "However, it would be the police case that he was part of a joint enterprise, part of an organised crime gang with each individual assigned particular roles."

The court was told that Mr Clarke has provided police with DNA and finger print samples.

Mr Blaney said: "The evidence police have links Mr Clarke to the Dargan area of Belfast where the money was collected."

Replying to the lawyer, the detective confirmed the accused claimed he had not known what was in the bag.

District Judge Ken Nixon remanded Mr Clarke in custody to appear again via video-link next month.