Six cases heard before NI courts this week
Two Belfast men who stole a scooter from a doctor in an early morning hijacking were handed 30-month sentences
A number of cases were heard across Northern Ireland courts this week. From Monday October 6 through to Friday October 10, people appeared before the courts charged with a range of offences.
On Thursday, a computer operator who travelled to Belfast to meet a 'child' he met online narrowly avoided prison.
Earlier this week, a judge said the murder of a man in Co Down in 2019 was a “planned assassination reminiscent of a terrorist ambush”.
Here's a court roundup for the week beginning Monday October 6:
Gun murder was planned assassination reminiscent of terrorist ambush, court told
The murder of a man in Co Down in 2019 was a “planned assassination reminiscent of a terrorist ambush”, a judge said on Monday.
Two men were told the minimum term they must serve in prison for murdering Malcolm McKeown. Mr McKeown, 54, was shot as he sat in a BMW parked at the back of a service station in Waringstown.
Jake O’Brien, 31, from Rectory Road in Lurgan and Andrew Thomas Kenneth Martin, 30, of Bridge Street in Banbridge were both found guilty earlier this year of the murder and also possession of firearms.
Co Down "violent offender" jailed over attack on taxi driver
A "violent offender" who attacked a taxi driver was handed a three-year sentence on Monday.
Jamie Love (25) from Sloane Crescent in Killyleagh was sentenced at Belfast Crown Court by Judge Gordon Kerr KC who divided the term equally between custody and supervised licence.
In addition to this incident, Love was also given a two-year conditional discharge for a charge of child cruelty.
'Dangerous offender' who robbed off-licence and chemist at knifepoint jailed
A sentence totalling 12 years was imposed upon a man who targeted a number of businesses in Belfast whilst armed with weapons.
During one of the incidents, Anthony McCrea stabbed a pharmacist in the hand after smashing a glass window installed for Covid.
The 39-year old, who was deemed as a 'dangerous offender' by both the Probation Board and Judge Catherine Chasemore, was handed an extended custodial sentence.
Man caught messaging 'child' by paedophile hunter group avoids jail
A computer operator who travelled to Belfast to meet a 'child' he met online narrowly avoided prison.
Bipul Paul, 39, of Salisbury Road in Reading, Berkshire was handed an 18 month sentence suspended for three years after he was caught messaging the 'child' by a paedophile hunter group.
Paul, who works as a coder for a credit card company, previously pleaded guilty at Belfast Crown Court to charges of attempted sexual communication with a child and attempted to meet a child following sexual grooming.
No decision yet on whether Donaldson trial will proceed in November
A decision on whether the trial of former DUP leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson and his wife Lady Donaldson on charges relating to alleged historical sex offences is to proceed in November should be made later this month, a judge said on Friday.
During a brief update in the case in Newry Crown Court on Friday, Judge Paul Ramsey said he hoped to be in a better position then to make a decision around the “medical situation” of Eleanor Donaldson.
The trial had previously been due to start in March, but was delayed due to Eleanor Donaldson’s medical condition.
Pair who stole scooter from doctor in early morning hijacking jailed
Two Belfast men who stole a scooter from a doctor in an early morning hijacking in the south of the city were handed 30-month sentences on Friday.
After stealing the scooter in July 2021, both William Stanton Hinton, 31, of Cliftonville Avenue and 30-year old Daniel Lee Eric Rhodes from Ormeau Road drove it dangerously before they were arrested.
Their 30-month sentences were divided equally between custody and licence by Judge Gordon Kerr KC.
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