Man 'had up to 20 drinks' before New Year's Eve fracas 'when he brandished pickaxe handle at officers'

Dean Rea, 39, is also accused of advancing towards PSNI officers after they were called to his parents’ home in Co Down.

He was remanded in custody on charges of common assault, possessing an offensive weapon, criminal damage to a kitchen door and assault on police.

Belfast Magistrates’ Court heard officers went to the house at Main Street in the village of Carrowdore, at the top of the Ards peninsula, after a 999 call was made on December 31.

They discovered Rea in the kitchen area brandishing a pickaxe handle while his mother was in the same room.

He allegedly ignored demands to put down the weapon and came towards officers who removed the woman for her own safety before restraining him on the ground.

It was also claimed that Rea had assaulted his father earlier as he drank coffee in the garden.

During interviews the defendant said he struck a door with the pickaxe handle after his father shut himself into a room.

He told police that he had consumed up to 13 beers and six or seven whiskeys.

Defence solicitor Hugh Edgar described it as “a very sad case” but argued that Rea could be released to his own address at Island View Road in Greyabbey.

Refusing bail, however, District Judge Rosalie Prytherch said: “The risks are just too great… the circumstances are very serious.”

She remanded Rea in custody, to appear in court again later this month.