A 23-year-old man has appeared in court in relation to attempted arson and assault charges in domestic abuse circumstances.
It is the third time in as many weeks that the defendant has faced separate arson charges, but the previous two were dismissed as not capable of police connection.
In the latest matter, it is alleged that Miguel Caetanito, from Gortgonis Terrace, Coalisland, attempted to destroy a house by fire and assaulted a male family member.
Following his arrest, it is further alleged that Caetanito damaged a PSNI vehicle and attempted to smash a window at Dungannon PSNI Station.
The offending is alleged to have occurred on 6 September at Canal Place, Coalisland.
A detective constable told Enniskillen Magistrates’ Court the charges could be connected.
He explained that a witness has provided a statement claiming to have observed Caetanito standing on the bannister and reaching up into the attic.
The witness heard a repeated “clicking” sound, which he believed was from a lighter that Caetanito was using to ignite a fire.
Given the danger, the witness pulled Caetanito from the bannister, as he believed he was “actively trying to set the house alight”.
A defence barrister advised there was no application for bail at this stage, as Caetanito cannot return to his current address and an alternative has not yet been sourced.
District Judge Alana McSorley remanded Caetanito in custody to appear again by video-link at Dungannon Magistrates’ Court on 16 September.
