Robbery accused escapes during Derry court appearance

An arrest warrant has been issued for a 22-year-old man accused of robbery after he escaped from police custody.
By The Newsroom
Published 23rd Dec 2015, 14:31 BST
The courthouse at Bishop Street, Derry.The courthouse at Bishop Street, Derry.
The courthouse at Bishop Street, Derry.

Dean Patrick Declan Beattie, of Glenowen Park, Derry, was due to appear in court facing charges of robbery and carrying a firearm on December 12.

He is also charged with possessing a blue kitchen knife and common assault.

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The charges relate to an alleged incident in the Northland Road area of the city.

Beattie was brought to Derry Magistrates Court by police earlier this morning.

However, as he was being taken into the cells of the courthouse he scaled a fence and escaped from police custody.

An investigating officer connected Beattie to the charges in his absence and a warrant was issued for his arrest.

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Police have confirmed they are actively seeking to locate the 22-year-old and a police investigation into the incident is ongoing.

They have appealed for anyone who witnessed the incident at the courthouse to contact them at Strand Road on the non-emergency number 101.