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01/05/2008
Killer Enters Guilty Plea
A Co Tyrone man - who was due to go on trial this week in Coleraine and has now admitted murder - was today remanded for sentencing, while in a separate court a Nigerian who ran a fake marriage service for illegal immigrants has been sent down.
Ryan Patrick McLaughlin, 25, admitted that he killed Stanley John Andrews, 50, who suffered serious head injuries.
McLaughlin pleaded guilty to the killing at a Simon Community Hostel in Ballymena where Mr Andrews was found dead on 15 September 2006.
His address was given as Fairview Heights, Dromore, County Tyrone, but he was living at Alveston House Hostel in Ballymena.
McLaughlin's trial was due to begin at Coleraine Crown Court, but prior to its start, the defendant was rearraigned and pleaded guilty. His sentencing has been adjourned until 30 May.
Elsewhere, a man who arranged sham marriages to win Chinese and Nigerian immigrants legal status in Northern Ireland has been sentenced to four years in jail.
Alexander Success, 30, a Nigerian, then from Waterfoot Park, Londonderry, pleaded guilty last year to seven charges of assisting entry to an EU state.
Blank marriage papers and diary details of £4,000 earnings for organising weddings were found at his Derry home.
A barrister said Success needed the money to pay his university fees.
An earlier hearing was told Success had brought local people together with Chinese and Nigerian immigrants for arranged marriages so that they could remain in the country.
The judge at Belfast Crown Court also recommended Success for deportation.
(BMcC)
Ryan Patrick McLaughlin, 25, admitted that he killed Stanley John Andrews, 50, who suffered serious head injuries.
McLaughlin pleaded guilty to the killing at a Simon Community Hostel in Ballymena where Mr Andrews was found dead on 15 September 2006.
His address was given as Fairview Heights, Dromore, County Tyrone, but he was living at Alveston House Hostel in Ballymena.
McLaughlin's trial was due to begin at Coleraine Crown Court, but prior to its start, the defendant was rearraigned and pleaded guilty. His sentencing has been adjourned until 30 May.
Elsewhere, a man who arranged sham marriages to win Chinese and Nigerian immigrants legal status in Northern Ireland has been sentenced to four years in jail.
Alexander Success, 30, a Nigerian, then from Waterfoot Park, Londonderry, pleaded guilty last year to seven charges of assisting entry to an EU state.
Blank marriage papers and diary details of £4,000 earnings for organising weddings were found at his Derry home.
A barrister said Success needed the money to pay his university fees.
An earlier hearing was told Success had brought local people together with Chinese and Nigerian immigrants for arranged marriages so that they could remain in the country.
The judge at Belfast Crown Court also recommended Success for deportation.
(BMcC)
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:The day will be very windy with strong to gale force westerly winds becoming occasionally severe along the north coast. Sunny spells will be interspersed with scattered showers. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:West to northwest gale force winds, severe along the north coast, will continue overnight. Frequent showers persist, merging into longer periods of rain at times and turning wintry. Minimum temperature 1 °C.
