A Caledon man had been released on bail twice – for two separate sets of alleged offences – when he attacked a 90-year-old man in his home before assaulting a woman and trying to hijack her car, a court has heard.
Twenty-five-year-old Jody Dowzell from Castle Drive, who has relevant convictions, was – last year – accused of entering a Caledon café as a trespasser and stealing a purse containing £1,400 and a further £120 in cash.
He is further accused of possessing a quantity of cannabis during that incident.
Dowzell was released on bail for that and permitted to reside back in his Caledon home.
He was arrested again last month and charged with entering the home of a man in his 90s with intent to steal and assault occasioning actual bodily harm.
It is further alleged he assaulted female driver before attempting to hijack her vehicle.
Offending is alleged to have occurred on May 20 and also took place in Caledon.
On that incident, police issued a statement indicating a report had been received at approximately 10.20pm on the evening in question, that a male had approached a female driver in the Main Street area of Caledon and banged on the window of the vehicle.
“He asked if he could borrow the vehicle, and when the woman said no, he punched her in the face. He was then said to have begun running around the area, knocking over bins and threatening members of the public.”
It was further reported the suspect entered a house in the Woodview Terrace area of Caledon, and asked the elderly male occupant if he had a car.
When the householder said no, the intruder punched him in the face before making off on foot.
“A short time later, police arrested a man aged in his twenties on suspicion of assaults occasioning actual bodily harm, and burglary with intent to steal,” said police.
There was no application for bail in this and Dowzell was remanded in custody.
However, it has now emerged just five days before that incident – on May 15 – he was charged with assaulting a male causing actual bodily harm.
Dowzell was already on bail for alleged incident in the café last year.
A police officer aware of the facts of the latest matter told Dungannon Magistrates’ Court the charges could be connected to these latest set of offences.
A defence solicitor said Dowzell remains remanded in custody and has not sought to apply for bail.
He also requested bail on the matter from last year is revoked which District Judge Peter Magill agreed and ordered Dowzell to appear again by video-link on July 19.
