Other News In Brief

Body Found Believed To Be Missing Co Antrim Man

Police believe a body found in Ballymoney may be that of Michael Hanna.

Mr Hanna, 24, has not been seen since 16 July when he disappeared from the Westgate area of the town.

His family had appealed for information on his whereabouts and police were due to stage a reconstruction of his last known movements today. However, on Tuesday evening (29 July), police confirmed a body of a man in his 20s had been found in Ballymoney.

Formal identification is yet to be carried out.

At this stage the death is not being treated as suspicious, police added.

Three Convicted Of Fraud

Three people have been convicted at Belfast Magistrates' Court for claiming benefits they were not entitled to.

John O'Donnell, 45, of Glynn Park Close in Carrickfergus claimed Jobseekers Allowance and Housing Benefit totalling £5,116 while failing to declare employment. He was given 120 hours community service and ordered to pay court costs of £37.

Thomas Grainger, 30, of Henderson Avenue in Belfast claimed Employment and Support Allowance, Income Support and Housing Benefit totalling £14,675 while failing to declare employment. He was given 200 hours community service and ordered to pay court costs of £46.

Kathleen Rea, 47, of Lavinia Square, also in Belfast, claimed Jobseekers Allowance and Housing Benefit totalling £2,878 while failing to declare employment. She was given a 12-month conditional discharge and ordered to pay court costs of £55.

All three are also required to repay any outstanding money wrongfully obtained to the Social Security Agency.

Woman Injured In Hit-And-Run

A woman had to be cut free from her car following a hit-and-run accident in north Belfast.

At around 4pm on Sunday afternoon, the woman's vehicle was hit on the Upper Hightown Road by a small, light-coloured car, which was coming in the opposite direction. The vehicle is said to have crossed the road into oncoming traffic and hit the woman's black Citroen C4, sending it crashing into a field.

The woman, aged 39, needed to be cut free from her car. She was taken to hospital for treatment, where she still remains, but police have said her injuries are not life-threatening.

The other vehicle, described as a hatchback, did not stop following the accident.

Police have now launched an appeal to track down the driver.

Anyone with information is asked to contact police on 101.

(JP)