FonaCab: Brian Stalford bailed over 'suspected gun' taxi video

The video began to circulate online earlier this year

A taxi driver who is accused of threatening a passenger with an imitation gun has been released on bail.

Brian Stalford, 49, of Park Avenue in Belfast, has been released to live at an address in the south of England.

He is facing trial for using a replica pistol to strike a passenger over a suspected drugs debt.

Mr Stalford was arrested after dash-cam footage of the incident was uploaded online earlier this year.

It is believed the recording took place in Holywood, County Down, some time between March and June this year.

Mr Stalford was later sacked as a FonaCab driver after the footage began to circulate on 1 June.

He accepts being in the footage, but denies the charges of possessing an intimidation firearm with intent to cause fear of violence, common assault and making threats to kill.

Mr Stalford previously claimed the incident had been a "consensual planned prank".

He also faces a separate charge of having a class A controlled drug when he was arrested.

Passport surrendered

At Belfast Magistrates' Court on Friday, defence solicitor Mark Austin said the Crown Court had already decided Mr Stalford could be released from custody.

However, he still had to be granted bail from the Magistrates' Court over the drug charge.

Mr Austin told the court his client is planning to live at an address in East Sussex, and that his passport has been surrendered already.

A police officer did not oppose the application under certain conditions.

Granting bail, the judge said the defendant must report to police three times a week and is prohibited from contacting the alleged victim.