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⚖️ BELFAST COUPLE CHARGED OVER ALLEGED KNUCKLE DUSTERS ENTER FORMAL DENIALS
A Belfast couple accused of possessing and distributing knuckle dusters have formally denied the offences.
Standing side-by-side in the dock of Belfast Magistrates Court, Stephen Samuel Baker (45) and his partner 38-year-old Robyn Barnes, entered not guilty pleas to the two charges against them.
Baker and Barnes, both from Solway Street in east Belfast, are accused of possessing and distributing an offensive weapon, namely a knuckle duster, on 8 November 2025.
Previous courts have heard that after an anti-immigration protest at City Hall, Baker was allegedly seen removing a large plastic box from the boot of his car.
The box contained numerous pink bags “and at the same time, his partner and co-accused” Barnes allegedly removed some of the bags and opened them.
“The co-accused refers to them as safety bags,” a police officer told the court when Baker was initially charged, describing how each bag contained “freeze spray” as well as leaflets and an anti-rape alarm.
Also contained in the mesh bags however, were “pink knuckle dusters” and it is the police case that Baker and Barnes had been “distributing the bags.”
In addition to footage from Baker’s own TikTok and social media platform, the police had obtained CCTV footage which they contend “is extremely clear, and shows the possession and distribution of the bags to a number of people.”
Both the Magistrates Court and High Court have heard the defence teams have a “real issue” as to whether the items can be classed as offensive weapons as they are “pink plastic items, in the shape of a cat’s face, about the size of your palm.”
In court on Wednesday, defence counsel Stuart Magee said “we are considering instructing an expert to examine the alleged weapons, and their characters and properties.”
He said the defence are able to agree half of the 16 witnesses due to testify for the prosecution.
Mr Magee told District Judge Steven Keown the contest “may take some time” as four and a half hours of footage is to be considered in the case.
Freeing Baker and Barnes on continuing bail, Judge Keown adjourned the case to 22 May to fix a date for the contested hearing.
ENDS
Copy by Paul Higgins
Photos by Pacemaker: defendants Stephen Baker & Robyn Barnes.
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