Belfast hotel guest allegedly barricaded himself into hotel bathroom before causing £5,000 in damage, court told

PSNI claim the accused smashed up fixtures and tried to start a fire before armed response officers had to be called to his room

A guest allegedly barricaded himself inside the bathroom at a Belfast city centre hotel and caused £5,000 worth of damage.

Police claimed Daniel John Kerr smashed up fixtures and tried to start a fire before armed response officers had to be called to his room at the Premier Inn on Alfred Street.

A defence lawyer said the 35-year-old’s actions last week were fuelled by fears that he was under attack. Kerr, of Ravenhill Reach Court in the city, faces charges of attempted arson endangering life and criminal damage.

On Monday Belfast Magistrates’ Court heard staff at the hotel reported he had barricaded himself inside a bathroom in one of the rooms on December 19. Police who went to the premises in an attempt to engage with him then smelt smoke coming from where he was located.

Kerr allegedly refused to open the door while banging an object off the walls and screaming for help.

“Armed response units attended to assist with entry,” a PSNI constable said.

“Police observed a significant amount of damage to the property, which was estimated to cost £5,000 to repair.”

A toilet had been smashed, along with further damage caused to the mirror and sink.

“There also appeared to be chips out of the door and walls, and singe marks on the shower floor from something that was set alight,” the constable added.

Kerr was arrested and initially taken to hospital for treatment before being transferred to a custody suite in the city. It is understood that he had been put up at the hotel after spending a period in a mental health ward and losing the keys to his own flat.

Defence barrister Michael Boyd described his client as a vulnerable individual who had not taken his medication at the time of the incident.

“He believed he was under attack and barricaded himself in the bathroom,” Mr Boyd added.

Refusing bail and remanding Kerr in custody until next month, District Judge Steven Keown ruled that he represents a risk to the public.

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