Court is told suspect wanted to deliver threatening letter

A MAN accused of harassing broadcaster Stephen Nolan allegedly demanded to speak to him while carrying a hammer, a court heard yesterday.

- BY ALAN ERWIN

Robert Beck turned up at BBC buildings in Belfast after repeatedly attempting to deliver threatening letters to the radio and television presenter, police claimed.

The 62-year-old, of Bloomfield Crescent, Belfast, was detained again at the weekend less than 24 hours after being released on separate allegations of pestering loyalist Jamie Bryson.

He appeared at Belfast Magistrates’ Court to face new charges of possessing an offensive weapon in public, disorderly behaviour and the harassment of Mr Nolan.

An investigating detective said Beck attended the BBC's Blackstaff House premises at 9am on Saturday morning demanding to speak to the broadcaster, eventually leaving when security staff informed him police had been called.

Officers located him at a nearby hotel on Clarence Street West while he was writing a letter.