Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
Meli accused in jail over ‘shoplifting’
21-yr-old arrested after leaving court
A MAN charged with offences linked to the murder of Christopher Meli is back in jail after being accused of shoplifting.
The 21-year-old had his bail revoked yesterday after it emerged he was arrested in Boots less than an hour after appearing in court on Thursday.
Lee Smyth is one of a number of people charged with offences linked to the murder of West Belfast man Mr Meli, who was attacked and beaten to death by a mob in Twinbrook in December 2015. Smyth, who was living at a bail address outside the city that could not be reported, attended court on Thursday when a successful application was made to vary a bail condition to allow him to take up a job offer.
Smyth’s legal team had asked his curfew be relaxed so he could secure a month’s seasonal employment.
The variation was granted by Mr Justice Colton at Belfast Crown Court, with the brief hearing ending at 10.35am.
At 11.10am, Smyth and a young female were arrested at Boots Chemist at Donegall Place on suspicion of shoplifting – it is alleged a search uncovered a perfume gift set in Smyth’s trousers. He spent the night in police custody before appearing in court yesterday and his solicitor said he had to accept that to be arrested so soon after leaving court was “stupidity of the highest order” and asked the judge to defer his decision.
But Mr Justice Colton concluded: “I am not satisfied he will comply with conditions. Crown Court bail is revoked.”
Mr Meli’s family applauded in the public gallery and Smyth responded by turning round and clapping back.
He said “well, well, well” and did a dance in the dock, followed by a verbal altercation with the family as he was led away in handcuffs by prison staff.