‘Solicitor’ guilty of various charges

A 47-YEAR-OLD man convicted for public order, criminal damage and assault on June 14 will not know what penalties will be meted out until July 18.

Colin Bello, also known as Madasiru Bello address given variously as 40 Bellville, New Ross; 43 Waterside, New Ross and ‘no fixed abode’ was back before Judge Gerard Haughton on June 23 at the courthouse in Ardcavan.

Bello, whose case took more than four hours to hear the previous week, attempted once more to make the case that he should not be found guilty of criminal damage to what he felt was his own home at Waterside.

However, the property tax document submitted by the defendant did not persuade the judge to reverse his verdict in the matter.

‘You may have registered yourself for property tax but that is not evidence of ownership,’ he told the defendant. ‘I will not re-hear these matters.’

The judge said he had no problem with Bello appealing his rulings but advised him that he would have to wait until the case is concluded.

The accused described himself as a solicitor, prompting the man on the bench to ask whether he had a practising certificate from the Law Society.

Bello handed up a document which the judge described as evidence of registration of a business name, which did not confer a professional qualification on anyone though it referred to ‘solicitor advocate services’.

‘I am a professional,’ insisted Colin Bello, who represented himself throughout the proceedings and claimed ‘a vast knowledge of investigation’.

He said he had launched a case the previous day at the European Court of Human Rights.

The court heard that he was drawing €188 weekly in social welfare.

He said he was on medication for a back injury sustained at New Ross garda station during an incident that earned him an assault conviction.

The court was told by Superintendent John McDonald that the defendant had previous convictions for criminal damage and motor insurance offences but this was challenged by the defendant.

In the light of this, the judge adjourned to July 18 to allow the prosecution produce certified copies of all relevant conviction orders.

‘Thank you. God bless,’ said Bello before leaving the courtroom.