A 48-year-old man has appeared in court accused of causing the death of his partner in a road traffic collision as well as serious injuries to two people, one of whom was a young child, in an oncoming vehicle.
Christopher McFadden, from James Street, Cookstown, is accused of causing the death of Dungannon woman Leanne Thomas by dangerous driving on 20 February.
It is further alleged he caused grievous bodily injury to a man and child by dangerous driving, had no insurance and no L Plates displayed
Ms Thomas was a passenger in McFadden’s Ford Ka which collided with a Nissan Note around 5pm on the day in question on the main Dungannon to Cookstown road.
She died at the scene while McFadden and the occupants of other vehicle was taken to hospital with serious injuries.
McFadden appeared by video-link from police custody at Omagh Magistrates’ Court, where a detective sergeant from the PSNI Collision Investigation Unit confirmed all charges could be connected.
Objecting to bail, he explained McFadden informed police he was planning to see his mother in England at the request of Social Services who were conducting an assessment into her care.
On seeking clarification on this, officers were informed by social workers that there was no requirement for him to attend in person
District Judge Peter Magill said: “No mandatory requirement but I take it he wanted to be there?”
The detective replied this was correct, however, McFadden had informed police: “Social Services requested his attendance.”
As a result of this officers conducted checks with the drugs services team at McFadden’s pharmacy as he is dispensed prescription medication on a daily basis
“They confirmed he had made arrangements for a two-week advance of his prescriptions which were then to be transferred to an addictions team in Warwickshire where his mother resides,” said the detective.
There were no risks of witness interference or further offending, rather bail was opposed due the move of residence to England as “our concerns include the flight being booked on a one-way basis and the addictions team had measures in place to transfer his care there indefinitely”.
A defence solicitor told the court: “This case could potentially involve the office of the Police Ombudsman, as the defendant attended for voluntary interview on March 10 and cooperated fully.
“The allegation is he was driving a car and was involved in a tragic accident in which his partner was killed. He answered every question put to him.”
The defence continued: “His mother is ill and he had some conversations with Social Services, quite rightly notifying police. There were no bail conditions and he did the right thing by telling police he was intending to go to England to see his mother.
“He won’t be staying there permanently but he couldn’t get a return flight as he simply didn’t know when he would be back. The visit was only ever going to be temporary in nature to assist Social Services as his mother refuses to open the door to them.”
Judge Magill decided bail could be granted at £500 with McFadden to reside at his Cookstown address, save for the trip to England, and refrain from driving any motor vehicle.
“He will need to inform police and the court when he comes back but it will definitely have to be before the end of the month.”
McFadden will appear again at Dungannon Magistrates’ Court on April 25.
