Man disturbed during alleged bid to steal car from garage 'said he was there to go to toilet'

A man disturbed during an alleged bid to steal a car from a residential garage in north Belfast said he was there to go to the toilet, a court has heard.

Police claimed Andrew Morrow was confronted by the homeowner at the Shore Road property in the early hours of Sunday.

The 41-year-old allegedly had a balaclava and screwdriver on him when he was arrested a short time later.

Morrow, with a hostel address on the city's Antrim Road, appeared at Belfast Magistrate's Court on charges of burglary with intent to steal, criminal damage, going equipped for theft, and possessing Class B and Class C drugs.

District Judge Mark Hamill was told a man in his sixties disturbed a balaclava-wearing intruder in his garage.

A box of items had been placed in a car parked there.

"When questioned by the householder the male stated he went into the garage to go to the toilet," a detective said.

The intruder made off following the confrontation.

Morrow was arrested a short distance away. When searched a balaclava, screwdriver and quantities of drugs were recovered from him, the court heard.

Opposing bail, the detective claimed he poses a danger to the public.

"Police believe Mr Morrow was intent on stealing the vehicle inside the garage, had he not been disturbed by the resident," he contended.

Defence solicitor Diarmaid Kelly said his client's recollection of the incident was limited.

"Because he had taken drugs he doesn't remember why, or can't proffer a good reason why (he was there)."

Bail was refused due to the risk of further offences.

Mr Hamill remanded Morrow in custody, to appear again by video-link in four weeks' time.