A Belfast Magistrates Court judge dismissed Neil Pinkerton's application to modify his bail conditions to allow attendance at public demonstrations. The 37-year-old from Clandeboye Street faces charges of common assault, attempted criminal damage, harassment, incitement to hatred, and disorderly behaviour. The alleged incidents occurred at Connswater Retail Park on September 6 of last year.

Pinkerton is accused of threatening a delivery driver outside a restaurant with racial abuse and demanding to know his reason for being there. The driver reported being filmed on a mobile phone and feared an assault, locking himself in his car after Pinkerton punched the bonnet. Videos of the event appeared on TikTok later that day, causing the driver anxiety over his exposed identity and workplace.

Prosecutors stated Pinkerton also confronted two door staff members at a McDonald's, shouting aggressively and pointing in their faces while implying they could not speak to local females. Police described the actions as racially motivated and seized two mobile phones from his home.

District Judge Steven Keown called the bail variation request ridiculous and refused it. Police reported Pinkerton created new TikTok accounts and Facebook pages promoting anti-immigration views and continued vigilante patrols in east Belfast as of January 30 this year. The judge reinstated a ban on Pinkerton accessing any social media platforms.

Pinkerton remains on bail with the case adjourned until next month.