A man has appeared in court after a spate of serious motoring offences in which a number of vehicles were rammed, including one with a child passenger which was forced off the road.
It transpired he received a suspended prison sentence and disqualification for motoring offences just seven weeks ago. The alert over the latest offences was first raised in Lifford last Friday.
Kurdt Hamilton (29), from Drumlegagh Church Road, Newtownstewart, Co Tyrone is charged with dangerous driving while disqualified and unfit, no insurance and failing to provide a breath specimen.
There are two counts each of failing to stop and remain at the scene of accidents in which damage and injury were caused, and failing to report these to police.
Hamilton is also charged with allegedly assaulting two police officers, resisting arrest and damaging a PSNI vehicle.
A police officer told Enniskillen Magistrates Court all charges could be connected.
He said shortly before 10pm last Friday, September 4, a 999 call reported Hamilton as a possible drunk-driver at Melmount Road, Victoria Bridge.
He was observed colliding with another vehicle but drove on before pulling in with a front tyre blown out.
Hamilton initially got out and approached the witness stating, “I’m in a lot of trouble” before attempting to remove his registration plate.
He then tried to restart the car, which failed.
At this, he became aggressive and on hearing emergency sirens, fled into the rear of a house.
On arrival, police recognised Hamilton who became abusive and kicked an officer’s leg.
Throughout the journey to custody, the court was told, Hamilton remained aggressive and repeatedly spat inside the PSNI vehicle which was taken out of use in order to be deep cleaned.
Dashcam footage
The entire incident was captured on the witness’s dashcam.
He had been travelling along the A5 when he was overtaken at speed by Hamilton, whose vehicle then collided twice with a jeep.
A separate report was also received from a female who reported her vehicle had been rammed from the rear, forcing her off the Melmount Road.
The offending vehicle did not stop and continued in the direction of Omagh, and the incident was again captured on dashcam.
The woman’s nine-year-old was in her car at the time and left very upset by the incident.
Around an hour later, another report came from a male who described his car being rear-ended by what transpired to be Hamilton’s vehicle.
The driver made no attempt to stop.
A fourth report was received the following day when a male encountered Hamilton’s driving in the Lifford border area just ahead of entering Strabane.
This is believed to have been the first of the series of incidents and involved Hamilton overtaking the witness, then “slam on the brakes” forcing him to take evasive action.
Having continued his journey and nearing Sion Mills, the witness realised a vehicle had approached very suddenly from behind.
He believed Hamilton was going to ram his vehicle and warned his wife and three small children who were on onboard to brace themselves.
However, it instead overtook and made off.
During interview, Hamilton admitted owning the car and that he was disqualified but had no recollection if he had been driving stating he was ‘very confused and angry’ by the incident.
Objecting to bail, the officer pointed out Hamilton was disqualified from driving for three years at Strabane Magistrates Court just seven weeks ago and given a suspended prison sentence.
Probation
He is also on probation for other motoring matters and assaults.
“Police are very concerned as it would be the public who would bear the brunt of the serious risk posed,” said the officer.
A defence barrister conceded the seriousness of the case and claimed Hamilton ‘attributes his erratic behaviour to the breakdown of his relationship which occurred the same day as these matters’.
“He has found that extremely difficult to handle,” added the barrister.
District Judge Alana McSorley refused bail.
“I cannot get past that this occurred seven weeks after the imposition of a suspended sentence disqualification,” she said.
Hamilton will appear again by video-link at Strabane Magistrates Court on October 1.