A Cullyhanna man who is accused of stealing a Ford Ranger valued at over £20,000 will face Crown Court proceedings next month.
The 51-year-old appeared before Armagh Magistrates’ Court, sitting at Newry, for the purposes of a preliminary enquiry (PE), the legal process during which a case is referred to the higher court.
Nigel Johnston, of Cloghoge Road, is charged with a single charge of theft of a vehicle.
As the charges were read, court heard that the defendant was alleged to have stolen a Ford Ranger Wild Track, valued at £23,775.58, between December 7, of 2019, and November 22, of 2021, from Mann Island Finance Ltd.
Appearing before the court, Johnston made no objection to the holding of a preliminary enquiry.
Prosecution submitted that based on the papers before the court there was a prima facie case to answer.
Defence counsel had provided an initial skeleton argument but stated that there were no further contrary submissions.
District Judge Bernie Kelly, satisfied there was a prima facie case to answer, released the defendant on continuing bail to appear before Newry Crown Court on May 3 for arraignment.
