“I am that close to asking if this is a joke…It is a ridiculous application and it is refused,” the judge confirmed.
An east Belfast man accused of racially-motivated assaults on staff at a McDonald’s restaurant failed today in a legal bid for permission to attend public demonstrations.
Neil Pinkerton’s application to vary his bail conditions while facing allegations that he verbally abused victims before recorded footage appeared on TikTok was dismissed as “ridiculous”.
Instead, a judge reinstated a ban on the 37-year-old using social media platforms amid police claims that he remains involved in vigilante patrols and setting up anti-immigration accounts.
Pinkerton, of Clandeboye Street, is charged with common assault, attempted criminal damage, harassment, incitement to hatred and disorderly behaviour over incidents at Connswater Retail Park in the east of the city on September 6 last year.
Belfast Magistrates’ Court heard he allegedly threatened a delivery driver outside the restaurant, becoming racially abusive and demanding to know his reasons for being there.
The victim realised he was being filmed on a mobile phone and asked for the recording to stop, only for a second unknown man then joined in the tirade.
Fearing an imminent assault, the driver got into his car and locked the door for his own safety.
Pinkerton continued shouting and swearing while punching the vehicle’s bonnet, it was claimed.
Later that day, the complainant discovered videos of the incident had been posted on TikTok.
“It caused him further anxiety as he fears his identity, workplace and vehicle are now known,” a Crown lawyer said.
Pinkerton is also accused of confronting two door staff at McDonald’s after they stopped teenage girls from entering the premises due to an anti-social behaviour policy.
“He became aggressive, shouting at them, pointing in their faces and implying they are not allowed to speak to females from Northern Ireland,” the prosecutor added.
“The door staff viewed this as particularly aggressive and racially motivated.”
Police later seized two mobile phones in searches carried out at the defendant’s home.
With Pinkerton out on bail since last September, he applied to vary a condition which prohibited him being at any rallies.
Defence barrister Turlough Madden said: “He wishes to attend public demonstrations as his right in a democratic society.”
But District Judge Steven Keown described suggestions he should remove the condition as being ludicrous.
“I am that close to asking if this is a joke…It is a ridiculous application and it is refused,” he confirmed.
During the hearing police succeeded in having a previous ban on Pinkerton using social media put back in place.
An investigating officer claimed information obtained on January 30 this year suggests he has created and promoted new TikTok accounts and Facebook pages.
“These continue to promote anti-immigration sentiment, and Pinkerton and others continue to carry out vigilante patrols throughout east Belfast,” she alleged.
Mr Madden insisted the defendant had not breached any of his bail terms and urged the court not to grant the PSNI’s application.
However, Judge Keown ruled: “I disagree and I reinstate the (condition) not to access any social media platforms, based on the information police have.”
With the case adjourned until next month, Pinkerton was released on continuing bail.
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