Car-jacking accused is remanded in custody

A MAN has been remanded in custody accused of car hijacking offences in south Belfast.

Paul Reid appeared before the city’s Magistrates’ Court to face seven charges linked to incidents on Wednesday.

The 27-year- old, from Monagh Drive in Belfast, allegedly used force or threats to take control of a Vauxhall Corsa car.

He is further charged with the attempted hijacking of a Suzuki vehicle on the same day.

Reid is additionally accused of trying to rob a man of his wallet and the attempted theft of three chocolate bars from a Tesco store.

Charges of common assault and possessing an article with a blade or point, namely a box cutter, in the University Street area were put to him too.

The final alleged offence involved having diazepam without a prescription.

An investigating detective said he could connect Reid to the charges.

No questions were put to the officer during the brief hearing.

A defence solicitor also confirmed he was not seeking bail because no address was available.

A District Judge remanded Reid in custody to appear again by video-link on November 17.

A second man, aged 30, charged with hijacking as part of the same investigation is also due before the court next month.