Bridgewater man on bail over theft

Michael Hickey, a member of the Bridgewater Four, was released on bail yesterday after appearing at Birmingham magistrates' court charged with stealing a gold ring and possessing a machete.

Friends and supporters of Mr Hickey (left), who was freed in London in February after serving 18 years for the murder of newspaper boy Carl Bridgewater, cheered and punched the air in a packed public gallery as bail was granted. Mr Hickey is charged with the theft of a pounds 750 18ct-gold diamond solitaire ring from a Birmingham jewellers on 7 June. He is also accused of possessing a ten-and-a-half inch machete, allegedly found in the boot of a car on the same day. Mr Hickey said: "It's a publicity stunt, making us look wrong and them look right, that we killed that paper boy, that's what they are still trying to say." The formal appeal hearing of the surviving three men of the original Bridgewater Four was adjourned on 23 May for a reserved judgment which is expected to be given next month.