Taxi driver Brian Stalford admits possessing imitation firearm with intent to cause fear of violence

A taxi driver has admitted a charge of possessing an imitation firearm with intent to cause fear of violence.

Former Fonacab employee Brian Alexander Stalford, from Park Avenue in east Belfast, was initially charged with three offences arising from an incident in his taxi which was captured on a dashcam and went viral last June.

At a previous court hearing, Stalford denied three offences linked to the incident and a trial was due to begin on Wednesday.

However, he appeared in Belfast Crown Court on Tuesday where his solicitor Mark Austin asked that Stalford be re-arraigned on a charge of possessing an imitation firearm.

He was then charged that on a date between March 1 and June 2, 2023 he possessed a handgun resembling a 'Desert Eagle' self-loading pistol with intent to cause fear of violence.

When the offence was put to him, he was asked how he pleaded, and he replied "guilty."

Following this, Crown barrister Natalie Pinkerton told Judge Donna McColgan KC that the prosecution was leaving two remaining counts 'on the books' and they were not being proceeded with.

These counts were assaulting a front seat passenger and threatening to kill the same male, on a date between March 1 and June 2, 2023.

Judge McColgan said that as Stalford has admitted a "very serious charge", the consequences were "inevitable" and he was to be remanded into custody ahead of sentencing.

Mr Austin then addressed the Judge and asked that his client be granted continuing bail.

This, he said, was to allow Stalford to be examined by a number of defence experts including a psychologist which the solicitor said "can often prove to be extremely difficult" for defendants remanded in custody.

Mr Austin added that Stalford "has been on bail for a somewhat significant period of time" and has abided by all conditions.

When asked what the Crown's view was regarding bail, Ms Pinkerton said "the prosecution would not be applying to revoke his bail" pending sentence - but agreed that the consequences of his plea were "inevitable."

Judge McColgan released Stalford on continuing bail and he was told to return to court on Tuesday July 2nd, when he will be sentenced for the firearms offence.

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