Two in court on Derry Peace Bridge robbery charges

A man and a woman have appeared at Derry Magistrate’s Court in connection with an armed robbery on the Peace Bridge
25 year old Robert Gannon of 13, Dunvale Close in Derry was charged with robbery, fraud by false representations and converting stolen property on Tuesday last.
19 year old Louise Swords of no fixed abode was charged with intent to pervert the course of justice, assisting offenders, fraud by false representations and converting stolen property on the same day.
A police officer told the court that on that date a woman was walking home from work with her handbag in one hand and shopping in the other on the Peace Bridge. Gannon was alleged to have tapped her on the shoulder and said ‘give me your bag.’
He was holding what appeared to be a white handled bread knife and he was then said to have grabbed the bag containing a phone, cash cards, and gift cards and run back towards the city side.
Swords was also on the bridge and initially was said to have pretended to assist the injured party who gave chase to the thief.
However, the injured party noticed that she was giving different descriptions of the assailant and wrong directions to people who were trying to help the lady.
CCTV footage revealed the pair together before and after the robbery.
Swords was released on conditional bail to appear again on March 7th, Gannon was remanded in custody to appear again on the same date.