Latest: Magherafelt police officers accused of perverting the course of justice

John Law, Amanda McIvor and Gareth Rankin, whose addresses were given as c/o Magherafelt PSNI, Meeting Street, are charged with making false statements of events outside Bryson’s Bar in the town on March 16, 2013, involving James Dean Lawrence.

Law and Rankin also face a charge of assaulting Mr Lawrence on the same date.

A lawyer appearing for the officers told the court the hearing was expected to last half a day.

He pointed out that the female officer is due to give birth to a child.

Adjourning the matter until April 20 to fix a date for committal proceedings, District Judge Alan White said they would have to look for a hearing date after the birth of the child.