He is charged with six counts of threats to kill, along with making threats to damage property and breaching a restraining order earlier this month
A man accused of issuing new threats to kill loyalist campaigner Jamie Bryson must remain in custody, a High Court judge ruled today.
Robert Beck, 63, was refused bail amid claims he left “sinister” messages about the high-profile activist at a Co Down business premises.
Beck, of Bloomfield Crescent in Belfast, also allegedly stated that he planned to destroy vehicles belonging to the firm.
He is charged with six counts of threats to kill, along with making threats to damage property and breaching a restraining order earlier this month.
Beck was on release at the time while facing prosecution over separate allegations of harassing BBC broadcaster Stephen Nolan and pestering Mr Bryson.
Police were alerted again to the contents of voice messages in two phone calls made to a company based in Newtownards on June 1.
Prosecution counsel Mark Conlon said: “A number of threats were made of a similar nature.”
Mr Bryson, who is understood to have previously represented the company at an employment tribunal, was among those named in the messages.
Some of the alleged targets later provided statements claiming to have recognised Beck’s voice as the caller, the court heard.
He is currently prohibited from intimidating or harassing Mr Bryson under the terms of an order imposed in previous criminal proceedings.
During police interviews following his arrest Beck denied making any of the calls to the business premises.
But Mr Conlon said telecommunication inquiries have established that the messages were sent from the accused’s own mobile phone.
“There is very much a concern that he will go on to commit further offences,” he submitted.
Defence barrister Turlough Madden stressed Beck’s denials and his right to be presumed innocent at this stage.
“He is someone with genuine mental health issues,” Mr Madden added.
Denying bail, Lord Justice Treacy identified “an overlap in personalities” involved in the separate cases against Beck.
The judge stated: “He seems to find it difficult, if not impossible, to comply with orders of the court.”
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