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Man with Killinchy address receives suspended prison sentence for sending 'menacing' messages-----A MAN with a Killinchy...
03/08/2025

Man with Killinchy address receives suspended prison sentence for sending 'menacing' messages

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A MAN with a Killinchy address convicted of improper use of a communications network has received a suspended prison term.

Nigel Foster (58), of The Spires Crescent, had previously contested the case but was convicted of sending two messages of a 'menacing character'. The offence happened on May 21 last year.

He was back at Ards Magistrates' Court for sentencing.

A prosecutor said there had been a "dispute over money" and in two voice messages the defendant said he was "coming after" a man "for money and he would be getting it real soon".

A defence barrister said the dispute involved a "substantial amount" of money.

The court heard the defendant had 163 previous convictions.

District Judge Francis Rafferty said "however frustrated" the defendant was he should not "take matters into your own hands" and he should "know better not to leave threatening messages".

He said any issues should be dealt with by solicitors.

The defendant was given a three months prison term, suspended for a year.

A two year Restraining Order was also put in place.

"Let this be the end of it now," said the judge.

Patient caused criminal damage to blood pressure machine at hospital-----A MAN who caused criminal damage to a blood pre...
03/08/2025

Patient caused criminal damage to blood pressure machine at hospital

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A MAN who caused criminal damage to a blood pressure monitor at Antrim Area Hospital failed to complete 200 hours of Community Service and has now had the Order revoked and replaced with another sentence.

A court heard the criminal damage charge was in relation to the defendant causing a "chip" to the casing of the monitor but the "functionality of the machine" was unaffected.

Antrim Magistrates' Court, sitting in Ballymena, heard the defendant was a patient at the hospital and became disorderly in the triage room and caused damage to medical equipment.

He "punched walls", was verbally abusive to staff; and threw items onto the ground including the blood pressure machine.

He was swearing and shouting in the presence of staff and patients.

After being "checked over" he was discharged from hospital, a prosecutor said.

The prosecutor said when interviewed by police about the incident the defendant was "upset and remorseful".

A defence solicitor said the defendant wished to apologise to staff and others for his behaviour at the hospital.

The lawyer said the defendant had been struggling with alcohol and had no recollection of what happened but he is "battling" his addiction.

When sober the defendant is "one of the most pleasant people" he has ever met, the solicitor said.

* Further details of this case are available to subscribers of this page.

Man headbutted stepfather and pushed his mum against a door 'causing a lump to her head'-----A 26-YEAR-OLD man headbutte...
03/08/2025

Man headbutted stepfather and pushed his mum against a door 'causing a lump to her head'

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A 26-YEAR-OLD man headbutted his stepfather and pushed his mother against a door causing a lump to her head, in what a judge said was a "disgraceful" incident.

Michael Campbell, of Ahoghill Road in Randalstown, was sentenced after pleading guilty to the two assaults which happened on Saturday May 11 this year.

A defence barrister told Antrim Magisrates' Court, sitting in Ballymena, there has been a reconciliation in the case; the defendant was "deeply ashamed"; and had displayed remorse.

He said the defendant had "not touched" alcohol since the incident.

District Judge Nigel Broderick said it had been a "disgraceful" incident and the defendant should be going to jail but he took into account his clear record, guilty plea and expression of remorse and ordered him to do 100 hours of Community Service and put him on Probation for a year.

If he does not comply it will be replaced with a five month prison term, the judge said.

Man threatened to strangle his mother-----A MAN threatened to strangle his mother.He breached the terms of a Harassment ...
03/08/2025

Man threatened to strangle his mother

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A MAN threatened to strangle his mother.

He breached the terms of a Harassment Order which prohibited him from 'threatening violence' against his mum.

The incident happened in June this year and also that month he was in possession of pregabalin.

Craigavon Magistrates' Court was told the defendant's mother said he was under the influence of drugs at her home and when she asked him to leave "he threatened to strangle her".

When she said she was phoning police Cranston said "give me your f*cking phone or I will strangle you".

When cautioned by police he replied: "No problem".

A defence barrister said the defendant uses methadone in connection with a he**in addiction and he had "fallen off the wagon".

District Judge Michael Ranaghan said it had been a "nasty" incident and told the defendant: "No doubt your mother was terrified".

* Further details of this case are available to subscribers of this page.

Man is contesting assault allegation in relation to football match-----A COURT heard an allegation of assault relates to...
03/08/2025

Man is contesting assault allegation in relation to football match

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A COURT heard an allegation of assault relates to "a soccer match".

A man has pleaded not guilty to a charge of assaulting a male occasioning actual bodily harm on Saturday September 23 in 2023.

He had the case mentioned at Craigavon Magistrates' Court on Friday.

A defence lawyer told an earlier court it was an "alleged assault at a soccer match" and there are "four or five witnesses from the opposing team".

* Further details available to subscribers of this page.

Care worker is accused of ill-treatment of patients at mental health facility-----A CARE worker faces nine charges of il...
02/08/2025

Care worker is accused of ill-treatment of patients at mental health facility

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A CARE worker faces nine charges of ill-treating or neglecting five patients at the Bluestone Unit mental health facility at Craigavon Area Hospital.

Ciara Corvan (27), of Cathedrals View in Armagh city, is alleged to have committed offences in 2022 and 2023.

She appeared at Craigavon Magistrates' Court where a prosecutor submitted there is a case to answer.

A defence lawyer had no contrary submissions.

District Judge Michael Ranaghan said he was satisfied there was a case to answer.

He said the case papers were a "difficult read to say the very least".

The defence lawyer said as a result of the allegations the defendant has been suspended from her employment.

The defendant was given £300 bail and the case was sent to Craigavon Crown Court for arraignment on September 9.

Man is charged with being disorderly at Bangor Train Station-----A MAN is charged with being disorderly at Bangor Train ...
02/08/2025

Man is charged with being disorderly at Bangor Train Station

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A MAN is charged with being disorderly at Bangor Train Station.

Desmond Lundy (47), of Beech End, Holywood, is also accused of assaulting two females on the same day - March 16 this year.

He is further charged with sending a message which, according to the charge sheet, 'conveyed a threat of death or serious harm'.

He was in the dock at Ards Magistrates' Court.

He denies the charges and the case was adjourned to August 20 to fix a date for a contest.

Court hears 'potentially horrific' collision was averted after driver took evasive action to avoid head-on collision----...
02/08/2025

Court hears 'potentially horrific' collision was averted after driver took evasive action to avoid head-on collision

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A JUDGE said a "potentially horrific" collision last year between Carryduff and Saintfield was only avoided because of evasive action taken by a motorist who said he never exceeds 40mph following a previous accident in which his son had been seriously injured in 2007.

Details were given to Ards Magistrates' Court where a motorist - Jack McMenamin (18), of Dunleath Avenue in Downpatrick - was convicted of a charge of driving dangerously on August 26 last year.

A defence barrister said the issue in the case was whether it was careless driving or dangerous driving.

District Judge Francis Rafferty viewed front and rear dashcam footage of the incident which was recorded by another motorist.

The defendant's car's registration was identifiable on the dashcam and he was tracked down by police.

A second motorist, James Stewart, told the court the incident had been "traumatic" for him as he had been travelling with his son.

Mr Stewart said he was driving between Saintfield and Carryduff and his son was the front seat passenger.

He said: "My son is unable to give evidence because he was involved in a road traffic accident 18 years ago. He was a front seat passenger in a car. He died three times at the scene of that accident. He broke his neck and broke his back in two places, was resuscitated, and needs 24 hour care."

In June 2007, James Stewart junior, from the Saintfield area and then 17, was the front seat passenger in a car crash close to Crossgar when a vehicle hit a tree.

Mr Stewart senior said the McMenamin incident last August had therefore been "a really, really, traumatic experience not only for me but for my son".

The court heard Mr Stewart had written a book about his son's involvement in the accident 18 years ago.

Regarding last August Mr Stewart said: "It was horrific because it just brought flashbacks. When I took evasive action, had I crashed, it would have been impact on my son's side.

"Had we not being going at 40mph, which is my maximum speed since my son had his accident, I have no doubt there would have been a head-on collision".

A defence barrister told Mr Stewart it had been a "terrible thing that happened to your son" in 2007.

He said McMenamin was an R driver last August.

The barrister said although it had been a "bad piece of driving" he argued it was not dangerous driving but "falls on the upper limits of careless driving". He said there had been "no consequences" from the driving.

Convicting the defendant of dangerous driving, Judge Rafferty said: "It is quite clear that the defendant was going at a significant speed and disregarded the prohibition on overtaking clearly delineated on the road. It is a windy stretch of road that requires caution".

He said the defendant had "shown a reckless disregard for the safety of other users" and added: "It is only through the good officers of the first witness that we have the recording".

The judge added that "but for the fact that as a result of tragedy in his own life" the second witness "had tempered his own driving and has regard to the safety, not just of himself, but other road users" that a "potentially horrific collision was averted".

Judge Rafferty said the case should never have been contested and it was "dangerous driving as long as there is a sun in the sky".

The defence barrister said the defendant has autism and "on the day in question he was in a rush to get home where he feels safe and secure".

Banning the defendant from driving for 20 months and fining him £200, Judge Rafferty said: "You are a danger to other road users. I note you feel safe and secure at home. Other road users can feel safe and secure that you wont be on the roads for the next 20 months".

* Photo: Ards Courthouse.

Man punched partner in face several times in 'despicable case of domestic violence'-----A MAN punched his partner in the...
02/08/2025

Man punched partner in face several times in 'despicable case of domestic violence'

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A MAN punched his partner in the face a number of times in what a judge described as a "despicable" case of domestic violence.

Antrim Magistrates' Court, sitting in Ballymena, was told the defendant had become angry whilst at his address when his "on-off partner" said she wanted to go home.

Police found her "highly distressed and upset".

A defence solicitor says the defendant has drink and drug issues and accepts what he did was "appalling".

District Judge Nigel Broderick told the defendant: "This is a despicable case of domestic violence. You punched a vulnerable female who was under the influence and unable to protect herself. You yourself were intoxicated".

* Further details available to subscribers of this page.

Man who spat blood and saliva into face of police officer is sentenced-----A MAN who spat blood and saliva into the face...
02/08/2025

Man who spat blood and saliva into face of police officer is sentenced

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A MAN who spat blood and saliva into the face of a police officer has been sentenced.

He was sentenced at Antrim Magistrates' Court, sitting in Ballymena.

The defendant was aggressive and spat at the officer, hitting him on the chin. A spit and bite guard was then applied.

A defence barrister said the defendant had a "very significant facial wound" with blood around his mouth and whilst shouting at police he accepts he spat in the direction of the police officer.

District Judge Nigel Broderick said the defendant, who had a record, had been "given chances before" but he had now spat "blood and saliva" into the face of a police officer.

He said: "There are far too many assaults on police officers and there needs to be a stop to it".

* Further details available to page subscribers.

Ballymena man sentenced for having 'powerful' airgun without fi****ms certificate-----A BALLYMENA man has been sentenced...
01/08/2025

Ballymena man sentenced for having 'powerful' airgun without fi****ms certificate

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A BALLYMENA man has been sentenced for possessing a "powerful" airgun without a fi****ms certificate.

At the town's Magistrates' Court, James Kenny (63), of Orkney Drive, was also sentenced for being in possession of, according to the charge sheet, co***ne and pregabalin, on October 29 last year.

A prosecutor said the airgun required a fi****ms licence "because it was so powerful".

The defendant, who had a record, told police he had a "problem with" co***ne.

A defence barrister said the defendant had a "wealth of air pistols and the like" in his home which were examined and tested to see if they required licences because of their "kinetic energy".

He said: "The majority of those fi****ms did not require fi****ms because the kinetic energy did not reach the relevant criteria for such a licence.

"A number of these paintball and airguns did have the kinetic energy that required a licence. This one item was found to require a licence due to its kinetic energy".

The lawyer said Kenny had licences "for other matters" and "he was not trying to skirt around the laws".

The court heard the defendant also had a "large selection of knives and swords" and the barrister added: "These types of things interest him."

The lawyer said his client had "significant health problems over the years" and some tablets were of assistance in sleeping.

Deputy District Judge Peter Prenter told the defendant: "You had various items within your house be it knives, swords and also types of airguns or paintball guns which all met the relevant legal requirements whereas this one didn't".

He put the defendant on Probation for two years and Kenny was also given a two year conditional discharge.

* Pictured: James Kenny.

Man reportedly wearing 'bunny ears oodie' is charged with damaging 66 vehicles-----A MAN who was reportedly wearing an '...
01/08/2025

Man reportedly wearing 'bunny ears oodie' is charged with damaging 66 vehicles

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A MAN who was reportedly wearing an 'oodie with bunny ears' when he allegedly embarked on a rampage of destruction in which 66 vehicles were damaged in Ballymena has had the case at the town's Magistrates' Court further adjourned to August 7.

Dillon Fullerton (23), formerly with a Ballymena address but now given as Station Road in Castledawson, is charged in relation to February this year.

The suspect in the incidents was wearing an 'oodie with bunny ears' in images shared on social media.

* Photo: This photograph was widely circulated at the time of the incidents in Ballymena.

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Our website averages 45,000 unique weekly readers. www.ballymenadaily.com

Get in touch. See our website: www.ballymenadaily.com Email your news to [email protected] Ballymena Daily is an independent Ballymena-based news outlet covering County Antrim. Our website averages 45,000 unique weekly readers.