'Crane climb' accused face court

The men scaled a 200ft crane

Three men and a youth have appeared in court charged with criminal damage and obstructing police after climbing a 200ft crane in Belfast city centre.

Belfast Magistrates Court heard that £10,000 damage was caused to the crane at Clarence Street West on Sunday.

The three men were released on bail, while the youth, who cannot be named, was remanded in custody after the court was told he was a persistant offender.

All four will appear in court again on 25 February.

In court were 18-year-old Darren Sloan, of Victoria Street in Belfast, 23-year-old Patrick Nalty, whose address was given as Centenary House in Belfast, Graham Garrett, 20, of Bristol Park in Newtownards and the youth, who is 17.

A police officer told the court that she was called to the scene at about 0945 GMT on Sunday where she saw four males on top of the crane.

She said two came down after 45 minutes, a third shortly afterwards but the juvenile remained up the crane for two-and-a-half hours.

The officer added that a TV, computer and radio inside the cab of the crane were destroyed.

A solicitor for the juvenile said there was no forensic evidence to link him to the damage and the officer confirmed no link could be made until the crane is dismantled and forensically examined.

The court was also told that the contractor responsible for the crane will be fined £10,000 a day while the crane is out of operation until police carry out forensic examinations.