A COUNTY Fermanagh man caught with a quantity of drugs after evading police by crossing the Border and dumping his car has been refused bail.

Jamie Edward Gordon (30) of Ballyhoe Road, Newtownbutler, is charged with possessing cannabis and driving while disqualified and without insurance.

A charge of failing to stop for police is to be added at a later date and the judge felt more matters could be included.

A police officer told Dungannon Magistrates Court the charges could be connected.

Outlining the details of the case, he explained police were on patrol in Newtownbutler on December 10 when they observed Gordon in a black Vauxhall Corsa, and knew he was a disqualified driver.

Attempts to stop him were ignored and instead he drove over the Border into the Republic of Ireland.

They traced Gordon to another Border crossing, where he was seen walking, and when arrested, he said: “You’ll never find the car.”

He was searched, and a grinder containing cannabis was recovered.

While on the journey to custody police had to stop their vehicle after Gordon became agitated when told his house would be searched.

Threatened

He attempted to headbutt an officer and called him “a f***ing knacker”, then threatened to shoot police and blow up their families.

The search at his home recovered 15gms of herbal cannabis, with a street value of around £150.

A grinder, weighing scales and a quantity of tablets were also found.

During interview, Gordon made full admissions in respect of the cannabis, claiming it was purchased for personal use.

The tablets were said to be prescribed to help him sleep.

It emerged the Corsa was subsequently discovered by An Garda Siochana.

On reviewing the offences, District Judge Michael Ranaghan remarked: “To my mind, I heard evidence of other offending which does not appear to be among the charges. That’s a matter for down the line.”

Opposing bail, the officer said: “There is a relevant offending history of 18 convictions in Northern Ireland, two of which are for drugs, and others for motoring matters, including failing to stop for police and driving whilst disqualified.

“The defendant has 56 convictions in the Republic of Ireland, including motoring matters.

“This latest incident resulted in numerous charges and, if released on bail, he could return to an environment for further reoffending.

‘A complete disregard’

“He showed a complete disregard to police in failing to stop and his attitude toward them. He had a desire not to stop and crossed over the Border.

“[An Garda Siochana] also have five live bench warrants for him.”

A defence lawyer urged the court to grant bail and allow Gordon to reside with his wife and child under strict conditions.

He said the tablets found in his client’s home were prescribed to him by a doctor for pain, and “certainly not for any purpose of supply”.

In response to an enquiry from the judge, the defence contended the cannabis “was to supplement the pain relief he requires”.

However, Judge Ranaghan said: “I have to take into account he evaded police by driving into the Republic of Ireland, where he knew police could not follow him. This is a man who will do all he can to evade court.”

Gordon was remanded in custody to appear again by video-link at Enniskillen Magistrates Court next month.