A man accused of common assault and criminal damage who breached three bail conditions in the same evening has been re-released.
The deputy district judge warned the 29-year-old: “I am going to make an additional condition that you are tagged and I am making a note for the court that this is your final warning. If you breach any condition again you will be spending time in custody awaiting trial.”
Simeon Simeonov, of Dukes Grove in Armagh, is charged with common assault, criminal damage and threats to kill, all of which are alleged to have occurred on May 14, this year.
On Wednesday, he appeared at Craigavon Magistrates’ Court, via videolink from police custody, on foot of breaching bail conditions.
Defence solicitor Siun Downey confirmed to the court that the breaches were accepted albeit there was an “excuse”.
A constable outlined that Simeonov had been arrested after breaching three of his bail conditions.
She stated that on July 27, police received a report of a vehicle, namely an Audi Q7 which was linked to the defendant, being driven erratically in Trasna Way in Lurgan.
Court heard that a condition of Simeonov’s bail had been not to enter Trasna Way due to its proximity to the alleged injured party.
At 12.44am, officers located the car parked on College Hill, Armagh, which meant the defendant was in breach of his 10pm curfew.
Around an hour later he was arrested after also failing to present himself to the door of his property upon arrival of police, a further breach of a condition.
The constable stated that police were objecting to bail as this was Simeonov’s second breach of conditions.
She highlighted that the defendant had breached police bail within 24 hours of intially being charged with the offences back in May, by entering Trasna Way and having direct contact with the alleged injured party.
Ms Downey explained: “In relation to the first breach, his mother had died within that 24 hour period and she lives close to the injured party. I also think there was a lack of understanding in relation to proceedings for Mr Simeonov.”
Addressing the latest breaches, she said: “He was under the impression that he was no longer under bail conditions. We did not advise him as such and when I asked him why he thought that he could not explain.”
Ms Downey added that her client had contacted her office on Monday to ask about this but she had been unable to make contact with him prior to his arrest on the breaches before the court.
Deputy District Judge Liam McNally stated: “Mr Simeonov, this is a serious matter and police are objecting to you having bail. You breached three conditions of your bail and these are your second breaches, albeit the first was not court bail.
“The only thing that can be said in your favour is that you did not contact the injured party. It is based on that and your lack of record that I am not going to revoke your bail.”
He added: “I am, however, going to make an additional condition that you are tagged and I am making a note for the court that this is your final warning. If you breach any condition again you will be spending time in custody awaiting trial.”
Simeonov was readmitted on bail with the additional tagging requirement and the case was adjourned until August 11 for an update.
