Man accused of sectarian tirade during Twelfth is refused bail

A MAN charged with verbally abusing police after being told to pick up a smashed bottle at a Twelfth parade must remain in custody, a judge ruled yesterday.

Sam Robinson was refused bail amid claims he called officers “Fenian b ******* ” at the Orange Order demonstration in Belfast.

The 21-year-old, of Forthriver Road in the city, faces a charge of disorderly behaviour on the Upper Malone Road.

Belfast Magistrates Court heard police had asked him to stop throwing bottles and to pick up broken glass.

He allegedly started shouting and swearing as family members tried to pull him away.

According to a PSNI constable, Robinson was flailing his arms around in an agitated state while still holding the glass.

She claimed he continued using foul and abusive language, but due to the large crowd in the area he wasn’t detained until later on Thursday afternoon.

“He struggled again, shouting ‘Fenian b ******* ’,” she told the court.

Defence solicitor Paddy Hunt argued Robinson only had the glass in his hand because he was doing what police had asked.

But suggesting Robinson may have been drunk at the time, District Judge Harry McKibbin said: “This man is a total nuisance.

“I’m not letting him out at all... there’s a real likelihood of reoffending.”

Robinson was remanded in custody to appear again by video-link on July 20.