15/04/2008
Pensioner Shocked In Attack
Robbers have been going for the soft option, by attacking a pensioner in her 80s.
The victim has been left shocked following the incident at her south Belfast home.
Meanwhile, a man has been jailed for what was described a botched 'spur of the moment' cash delivery robbery in which he used his wife's own car to escape. The man was sentenced on the same day the lady was attacked in her own home.
It took place at about 4.30pm on Monday at Lille Park in Finaghy and was carried out by by a man dressed in a high-visibility vest, like a workman.
He restrained the pensioner before searching the house, taking car keys and a purse containing cash.
It is thought two other men also entered the house during the robbery. The woman was shaken but not hurt.
The robber is thought to be about 40 years of age with a southern accent.
Meanwhile, a man who decided - on the spur of the moment - to attempt to rob a security guard of cash has been jailed for four years.
Belfast Crown Court heard Ernest James Swaffield, 45, from Seahaven Drive in Portavogie, was caught as he had used his wife's own car as his getaway vehicle.
Swaffield demanded the guard hand over a cash box and put his hand in his pocket to suggest he had a gun.
The guard ran into the bank while a surveillance officer who had been in the nearby van chased Swaffield.
The attempted robbery happened in September 2006 outside the Ulster Bank on the Lisburn Road in Belfast.
A defence lawyer said Swaffield had dropped his wife off to go shopping and was waiting to get her when he tried to rob the guard 'in this moment of madness'.
A prosecution lawyer said Swaffield claimed to the guard that he had been trying to prevent two other men from robbing the box, believed to contain about £25,000 in cash.
He said the guard had noted the registration number of Swaffield's car, and was arrested by police who established it was registered in his wife's name.
Swaffield denied any involvement during police questioning but later pleaded guilty to attempted robbery and driving while disqualified.
(BMcC)
The victim has been left shocked following the incident at her south Belfast home.
Meanwhile, a man has been jailed for what was described a botched 'spur of the moment' cash delivery robbery in which he used his wife's own car to escape. The man was sentenced on the same day the lady was attacked in her own home.
It took place at about 4.30pm on Monday at Lille Park in Finaghy and was carried out by by a man dressed in a high-visibility vest, like a workman.
He restrained the pensioner before searching the house, taking car keys and a purse containing cash.
It is thought two other men also entered the house during the robbery. The woman was shaken but not hurt.
The robber is thought to be about 40 years of age with a southern accent.
Meanwhile, a man who decided - on the spur of the moment - to attempt to rob a security guard of cash has been jailed for four years.
Belfast Crown Court heard Ernest James Swaffield, 45, from Seahaven Drive in Portavogie, was caught as he had used his wife's own car as his getaway vehicle.
Swaffield demanded the guard hand over a cash box and put his hand in his pocket to suggest he had a gun.
The guard ran into the bank while a surveillance officer who had been in the nearby van chased Swaffield.
The attempted robbery happened in September 2006 outside the Ulster Bank on the Lisburn Road in Belfast.
A defence lawyer said Swaffield had dropped his wife off to go shopping and was waiting to get her when he tried to rob the guard 'in this moment of madness'.
A prosecution lawyer said Swaffield claimed to the guard that he had been trying to prevent two other men from robbing the box, believed to contain about £25,000 in cash.
He said the guard had noted the registration number of Swaffield's car, and was arrested by police who established it was registered in his wife's name.
Swaffield denied any involvement during police questioning but later pleaded guilty to attempted robbery and driving while disqualified.
(BMcC)
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
14 November 2024
Other News In Brief
Belfast's St George's Market Hosts Festive Christmas Twilight Market Get ready for some festive cheer! St George's Market in Belfast is hosting its annual Christmas Twilight Market on Tuesday 26th and Wednesday 27th November from 4pm to 11pm. The market will be transformed into a winter wonderland with twinkling lights and a lively atmosphere.
Other News In Brief
Belfast's St George's Market Hosts Festive Christmas Twilight Market Get ready for some festive cheer! St George's Market in Belfast is hosting its annual Christmas Twilight Market on Tuesday 26th and Wednesday 27th November from 4pm to 11pm. The market will be transformed into a winter wonderland with twinkling lights and a lively atmosphere.
02 February 2005
Police appeal following separate robberies in Belfast
Detectives in north Belfast are appealing for information following two separate robberies on Tuesday. In the first incident at around 12 noon a security guard was assaulted as he delivered a cash box to a bank on the Shankill Road.
Police appeal following separate robberies in Belfast
Detectives in north Belfast are appealing for information following two separate robberies on Tuesday. In the first incident at around 12 noon a security guard was assaulted as he delivered a cash box to a bank on the Shankill Road.
13 January 2009
Cross Border Support For Inishowen Gem
There's a concerted cross-border initiative underway to maximise the tourism potential of Ireland's most northern point, Innishowen.
Cross Border Support For Inishowen Gem
There's a concerted cross-border initiative underway to maximise the tourism potential of Ireland's most northern point, Innishowen.
01 October 2007
Missing Diver's Body Found
The body of a diver missing off the Co Galway coast has been recovered this afternoon. The 42-year-old man was with three colleagues diving close to the entrance of Killary Harbour. They raised the alarm when the man failed to surface. Coast Guard, rescue teams, and the Garda diving unit were involved in the search operation.
Missing Diver's Body Found
The body of a diver missing off the Co Galway coast has been recovered this afternoon. The 42-year-old man was with three colleagues diving close to the entrance of Killary Harbour. They raised the alarm when the man failed to surface. Coast Guard, rescue teams, and the Garda diving unit were involved in the search operation.
01 October 2007
Irish Coast Guard Helicopter In Mournes Rescue
An Irish Coast Guard Helicopter was called in to winch an injured woman from the Mourne Mountains in County Down. The woman was injured in a fall on Slieve Beg on Sunday afternoon. It is understood that she suffered a broken ankle in the fall. On Saturday a party who had become lost in the Mournes were located by a rescue team at around 9pm.
Irish Coast Guard Helicopter In Mournes Rescue
An Irish Coast Guard Helicopter was called in to winch an injured woman from the Mourne Mountains in County Down. The woman was injured in a fall on Slieve Beg on Sunday afternoon. It is understood that she suffered a broken ankle in the fall. On Saturday a party who had become lost in the Mournes were located by a rescue team at around 9pm.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:It will be cloudy again throughout the day. Mainly dry in the morning, but patchy drizzle in places, becoming more widespread and persistent in the afternoon. Freshening southwesterly winds. Maximum temperature 12 °C.Tonight:Cloudy with a spell of heavy rain pushing south through late evening and the early hours, followed by some clear spells. Minimum temperature 6 °C.