A 26-YEAR-old Belfast man has been remanded in custody on eight driving charges after being involved in a collision on the Great Northern Road close to Omagh on Tuesday.

James Paul Maughan of Grove Tree South appeared in the dock at Dungannon Magistrates Court flanked by two security officers.

Eight charges were read to Maughan relating to the incident on Tuesday. He was accused of dangerous driving and driving while disqualified as well as having no insurance or a Vehicle Test Certificate.

The defendant was also charged with failing to stop at the scene of an accident, failing to report an accident and obstructing police in the course of their duty. The court heard Maughan had been driving a Peugot 406.

A police constable said she could connect the defendant to the charges and stated that police were objecting to bail because of his previous record.

A defence solicitor conceded his client has "an extensive driving record" which includes breaches of probation and a suspended sentence.

The defence added that Maughan had admitted to all the offences.

Refusing bail Magistrate Geoffrey Millar said, "Cases of this nature are difficult to balance. Given the length and nature of the record and the breaches I am refusing bail."

He told the accused he is entitled to apply for High court bail.

Maughan will appear by videolink before Omagh Court next Tuesday.