Electronic tag monitoring system disconnected so man's mother could use vacuum cleaner

A man has told Londonderry Magistrates Court that his electronic tag was turned off in breach of his bail conditions because his mother wanted to use the vacuum cleaner.

Twenty-year-old Sean Grant was arrested at his home in Fergleen Park on Friday. Deputy District Judge Nigel Broderick described Mr Grant's excuse as "an unusual set of circumstances."



Mr Broderick did not revoke the defendant's bail and he was released to appear in court again on 26 November.

The defendant, who had been granted bail earlier in the week after admitting a burglary offence, said his mother disconnected the monitoring system just before midnight and plugged in the vacuum cleaner. Mr Broderick asked if the defendant's mother was in court, but was told by defence solicitor Paddy MacDermott that she was not.