Man remanded on Belfast hit-and-run charge

A man (30) charged with injuring two young boys in a hit-and-run accident in Belfast last week was remanded in custody when he…

A man (30) charged with injuring two young boys in a hit-and-run accident in Belfast last week was remanded in custody when he appeared in court today.

Mr Patrick Collins, of no fixed abode, faced two counts of causing grievous bodily injury by dangerous driving when he appeared before Belfast magistrates.

Mr Collins, who was remanded in custody for a week, also faced other charges, including stealing a motor vehicle, driving while disqualified, driving without insurance, failing to stop at the scene of an accident, failing to remain at the scene of an accident and failing to report an accident.

Ten-year-old Deaglán Bassett and 12-year-old Brendan Dobbin were riding their bicycles close to Belfast central station last Thursday when they were struck at a pedestrian crossing by a stolen car.

READ MORE

Brendan Dobbin suffered serious head and facial injuries and spent three days in intensive care. He remains in hospital in a stable condition. Deaglan Bassett was released from hospital the day after the accident.

The car involved had been was stolen at Newtownabbey on the northern outskirts of Belfast last month and fitted with false number plates. It was found abandoned a short distance from the the accident.