Cop chase like ‘Bonnie & Clyde’

Accused in court on driving and drug rap

A COURT has heard a road traffic collision involving a police car turned into something from “Bonnie and Clyde”.

Luke Goligher, 18, faces several charges including dangerous driving, possession of herbal cannabis and carrying an imitation firearm with intent to commit an offence. The accused. from Lanntara in Ballymena, Co Antrim, appeared at the town’s Magistrates Court via video link from Hydebank Prison on Thursday. A PSNI officer said Goligher was in a car which reversed into a police car and then drove off on May 4 with the accused in a “panicked condition”. District Judge Peter King said what started off as a simple road traffic collision turned into something like out of “Bonnie and Clyde”. During a bail application, a police officer said they were concerned Goligher “may come to harm” and she said the defendant said he owed money to people and he wanted to go and buy a gun to protect himself. She said police could not confirm if the threats were real but she believed Goligher perceived them to be real. Defence solicitor Stewart Ballentine said his client suffers from anxiety and depression and during a police interview he made “full and frank admissions” and took police to a location last week regarding an immitation firearm. District Judge Peter King released Goligher on his own bail of £500 with conditions which include signing at a police station three times a week.