Other News In Brief

Illegal Cigarettes Seized In Derry

35,000 illegal cigarettes have been seized by customs in L’Derry.

A series of raids uncovered the cigarettes, estimated to have a street value of £10,000, in the Creggan and Waterside areas of the city.

Half a kilo of tobacco worth £9,000 in unpaid excise duty and VAT was also found.

A commercial vehicle carrying some of the illegal cargo was seized and later returned to its owner following the payment of a £1,150 fine.

PSNI officers assisted customs officers in the operation. No arrests were made.

Man Dies In Sawmill Accident

A man has been killed in an accident at a sawmill in Coleraine, County Londonderry.

The man is reported to have died at premises on the town’s New Mills Road on Thursday morning.

Police said they were alerted at about 09:00, while Health and Safety Executives arrived at the scene throughout the morning.

The man's name has not been released, but it is has been reported he was in his 50s.

Child ‘Approached’ In Antrim

The PSNI are investigating claims of a suspicious approach to a child in Antrim.

A 10-year-old girl was approached by a man and asked if she would like to come to his house for buns.

The incident is alleged to have just outside primary school grounds on Bracken Avenue at about 15:30 on Tuesday. Police were not informed until Wednesday morning.

The man was described as being elderly, bald, wearing jeans and a green body warmer.

Anyone who saw a man matching this description in that area on Tuesday is asked to contact police on 0845 600 8000.

Benefit Fraud Convictions

Four people were convicted at Belfast Magistrates' court yesterday for benefit fraud.

Michael Parker (54) of Kansas Avenue, Belfast claimed Income Support totalling £17,836 while failing to declare employment. He was given 120 hours community service and ordered to pay court costs of £37.

Joseph McFall (71) of Manse Drive, Newtownabbey claimed Pension Credit and Income Support totalling £15,955 while failing to declare capital. He was given a six month prison sentence suspended for two years and ordered to pay court costs of £37.

Jacqueline McFarlane (55) of Highland Parade, Belfast claimed Jobseekers Allowance totalling £2,383 while failing to declare employment. She was given a 12 month conditional discharge and ordered to pay court costs of £34.

Martin Turner (45) of Whiterock Crescent, Belfast was given 80 hours community service and ordered to pay court costs of £124 for wrongful encashment of Jobseekers Allowance totalling £354.

(IT)