Meli murder accused back in jail after breaching bail
THE man accused of murdering Christopher Meli was returned to jail yesterday by a judge who said he “seems incapable” of complying with bail conditions.
Lee Smyth is due to stand trial later this year on charges arising from the December 2015 death of the 20-year-old father-of-one.
The defendant (21) — who Belfast Crown Court heard had been “in and out of custody for a very substantial period of time since the terrible events that give rise to this case arose” — committed further breaches this month.
When arrested for the breaches, Smyth told police they were “b ******* ” and said: “You need a hole in the back of your head.”
A Crown prosecutor told Mr Justice Colton the latest breach- es were committed after Smyth was last granted bail on January 18 and came against a “constellation” of previous ones.
The defendant had been ordered to reside at an address in Co Antrim, with a number of conditions imposed, including observing a 7pm to 7am curfew, being tagged and allowing only family members in his flat.
The prosecutor outlined a series of breaches at this address this month and asked the judge to revoke bail.
Telling the court there had been “issues of disorder in the locality”, the prosecutor said this included a 999 call being made to report Smyth being assaulted by three men in the street and a report to police of a separate fight outside the flat involving two men.
Smyth also breached his bail by having three young people in his flat who he claimed were his cousins but who the Crown believe were not relatives, and by not being present in the property several times during curfew.
Defence barrister Tom McCreanor pointed out that at no stage was his client arrested or charged with any offence, adding: “He is not responsible for the conduct of people in the street who may know him.”
Regarding the curfew breaches, the barrister revealed it was his client’s case that he had been at home and that he had been experiencing difficulties with his electronic tag. He did, however, accept that his client’s girlfriend had been in the flat.
Mr Justice Colton said bail conditions were imposed for a reason and spoke of “multiple” past breaches.
The judge said Smyth “simply seems to be incapable of complying, therefore bail is refused”.
As he was being led from the dock by prison staff, the defendant said: “That’s G4S for you.”