Derry man claims he was assaulted following burglary

A Derry man who admitted burgling a house in the city on Wednesday appeared in court today with visible injuries to his face which he alleged were caused by the householder who detained him.
Ciaran Carr (24) of Cornshell Fields in the city appeared at the local Magistrate’s Court with a black eye and other injuries to his face.
The court heard that on Wednesday morning at 7.45 a.m. he entered a house in the Lower Galliagh Road when the occupants were sleeping.
He stole a laptop, a purse containing bank cards and an earpiece. However, dogs barking alerted the occupants one of whom drove down the road and saw Carr carrying the laptop. He detained him until the police arrived.
During interview Carr admitted the offences and all the items were recovered.
The court was then told that Carr received a visit while in custody and afterwards he was searched and what is believed to be a Class A drug was found on him.
Defence solicitor Mr. Walter Hegarty asked a police officer was she aware of Carr’s injuries and that he had attended Altnagelvin Hospital on Wednesday afternoon for treatment for a fracture to his face.
The officer said she was aware and also that Carr had made allegations of assault against the householder who had detained him alleging that he had stood on his head while he was lying on the ground.
The court was also told that Carr had only recently been released from a 3 year and 6 month prison sentence in the Republic.
Carr was remanded in custody to appear again by videolink on February 4.