A MAN threatened to tie his former neighbour to the back of a van and drive off, it was claimed at the High Court in Belfast yesterday.
John Paul Maughan, a member of the Travelling community, was said to have attacked the car wash worker over alleged racial taunts.
Maughan (23), of Granemore Park, Keady, Co Armagh faces four charges of threats to kill, burglary with intent to commit grievous bodily harm, actual bodily harm and theft. He was granted bail after Mr Justice Stephens heard details of the alleged offences committed on August 3th and 9th.
Crown Counsel Fiona O’Kane said: “He (Maughan) threatened to tie the injured party to the tow bar of the vehicle and drive with him running behind it.”
A defence lawyer insisted his client denied making threats to kill. He said Maughan claimed he just slapped the victim because he had been calling him and his family “gypsies” and “tinkers”.
Granting bail, Mr Justice Stephens ordered Maughan to stay out of Keady and Armagh. He was told to live with relatives in Newry, to observe a curfew and he was banned from drinking alcohol.
