Neil Pinkerton faces prosecution over two separate incidents where footage of the victims being targeted was said to have been posted on TikTok.
An alleged racist accused of assaulting a food delivery driver and a man sleeping on the streets of Belfast is set to be granted bail to work on oil rigs, a High Court judge ruled today.
Neil Pinkerton, 37, faces prosecution over two separate incidents where footage of the victims being targeted was said to have been posted on TikTok.
Mr Justice Fowler decided he could be released from custody once training courses for the newly offered employment are confirmed.
Pinkerton, of Clandeboye Street in east Belfast, is charged with common assault, attempted criminal damage, harassment, incitement to hatred and disorderly behaviour at Connswater Retail Park on September 6.
Crown counsel Adrian Higgins claimed he threatened and racially abused a delivery driver outside a McDonald’s restaurant by demanding to know his reasons for being there.
When the victim realised he was being recorded on a mobile phone and asked for the filming to stop a second unknown man joined in the abuse, the court heard.
Fearing an imminent assault, he got into his car and locked the door for his own safety as Pinkerton allegedly continued to shout, swear and punch the bonnet.
Later that day he discovered videos of the incident had been posted on TikTok.
Pinkerton is further accused of confronting two door staff at the restaurant after they initially 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 people from Northern Ireland,” Mr Higgins contended.
During police interviews he described the allegations against him as “nonsense”, claiming he had walked away from the scene following a heated argument.
Pinkerton also denied telling one of the complainants to “get out of our f****** country you c***”, the court was told.
He faces separate charges of common assault and theft in connection with an incident earlier this year.
Police were contacted after a man went to the city’s Islamic Centre, claiming he had been attacked in the early hours of July 22.
“He had been lying in a sleeping bag on Oxford Street when two males punched and kicked him to the face and body,” Mr Higgins submitted.
Pinkerton was identified as one of the alleged perpetrators after another recording appeared on TikTok, according to the prosecutor.
He added that the footage showed the victim’s sleeping bag being taken and thrown into the River Lagan.
Opposing Pinkerton’s application for bail, counsel argued: “Police believe this is a racist individual and there is a high risk of re-offending.”
Mr Justice Fowler was also told of plans for a possible protest related to his detention under the banner “Free Pinky”.
Turlough Madden, defending, confirmed Pinkerton disputes the alleged identification of him in the sleeping bag incident.
The barrister also stressed his client faces no allegations of any physical violence over the encounters at McDonald’s.
“This is a man who has never been in a custodial setting… he’s quite terrified,” Mr Madden submitted.
During the hearing Pinkerton’s stepfather told the court he holds a senior position in an oil rig company and gave assurances about a potential job offer on completion of the necessary training.
Granting bail to those terms, the judge said: “I will release him once I see dates for all those courses and not before.”
He imposed a ban on Pinkerton using any social media or taking part in public demonstrations.
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