Boy in custody 'to protect public'

Mr Justice Horner overturned the granting of bail to the 15-year-old after being told how he has talked about suicide and harming others.

He said: "I cannot take a chance that somebody else won't be seriously injured and indeed that (the accused) might seriously injure himself.

"The youth, who cannot be identified because of his age, is charged with threats to kill, assault and criminal damage.

All of the alleged offences occurred at the family home in Co Antrim on 18 August.

His mother told police he had smashed a picture after a row started over a telephone, the court heard.

It was claimed that the teenager spat at her and grabbed her hair and shook her for up to 20 seconds when she tried to phone the PSNI.

He was locked out of the house, but kept kicking at the front door.

A prosecution barrister said: "He stood there for a few minutes shouting foul and abusive language at his mother, spitting at the door and saying he was going to arrest her."

Police discovered the accused on a garage roof.

He was granted bail at a magistrates' court, but the prosecution appealed that decision due to the perceived risk to the public.

A social worker, who has dealt with the teenager, said he had disclosed thoughts about suicide and inflicting harm on his family.

It was confirmed by the defence that the accused is to plead guilty to the charges.

His mother also gave evidence that she was prepared to take him back into the family home.

She claimed her son had acted out of anger, adding: "I don't see him as any threat to me now that he has got the help that he needed."

But Mr Justice Horner held that releasing the accused would lead to a risk of re-offending.

He pointed out that a medical report on the youth had identified his consumption of illicit drugs as making him a danger to others.

"In those circumstances I'm going to grant the appeal and refuse bail," the judge said.

He added that the case should be brought back to him if secure residential accommodation for the accused does not become available next month.