Articles by Court Reporter

Technology

Man jailed after taking part in unnotified anti-immigration parade in Ballymena

Ryan Tyrie (41), of Willowfield Street in Belfast, also admitted disorderly behaviour in Ballymena on the same day. He also admitted 'jaywalking'. He was at Ballymena Magistrates' Court on Thursday via video link from prison where he had been on remand. A prosecutor said an anti-immigration demonstration was held at Wakehurst Road in Ballymena. It was unnotified and more than 50 people moved off around 6.45pm, some carrying flags. The prosecutor said no notification form had been submitted to the Parades Commission. The court heard the procession had gone through Harryville. At several points during the course of the parade the defendant was shouting at the top of his voice repeatedly and gesturing for other persons present to block the road with him, said the prosecutor. He also made gestures and shouted towards a police vehicle which was recording the incident. At one stage at Waveney Road the defendant stepped onto the road causing a police vehicle to perform an emergency stop. The defendant continually stepped into the road causing traffic to have to brake sharply, it was said. The defendant was wearing distinctive clothing and had a distinctive facial tattoo, said the prosecutor. When interviewed the defendant said he didn't realise it was an illegal procession; and he denied, at that stage, the jaywalking and indicated he would continue to repeat the behaviour regardless of police actions. The court heard the defendant had previously been on bail but breached a bail condition that he was not to discuss immigration online. A previous court was told he breached a bail condition during an interview with 'Freedom Dad' on social media. One of Tyrie's bail conditions was 'not to engage with, post or stream on any social media site in respect of any issue related to immigration'. Tyrie told the earlier court he was interviewed about going to prison and if immigration was mentioned he had been out of the room. After viewing the social media post at the earlier court, District Judge Nigel Broderick said he was satisfied immigration was discussed on the footage which breached the defendant's bail. Back at Thursday's court, a defence barrister said Tyrie had spent around five weeks in custody on remand. The lawyer said the defendant "indicates to me that he is not against immigration and he wishes the court to know that". He had given people a lift and had no intent to cause any trouble, said the defence. The defendant was given a three months prison term and was fined £100.

Technology

'So I'm getting the jail then?': Domestic offender caged after drunken assault on partner in Camelon

Robert McCallum, 57, appeared at Falkirk Sheriff Court last Thursday having pleaded guilty to assaulting his partner – striking her on the head with an unknown object – to her injury and breaching his bail conditions not to have contact with her at an address in Brown Street, Camelon on September 29. “The complainer had been consuming alcohol at the address,” said the procurator fiscal depute. “The accused returned after drinking in the Roman Bar at 4pm. He came into the living room and started shouting and swearing. "He swung an object to the complainer’s head which caused a lump and cut to the side of her head. Police were contacted.” Murray Aikten, defence solicitor, said: “They had both been consuming alcohol – it’s clear Mr McCallum is an alcoholic. He had been having difficulties.” Sheriff Maryam Labaki noted it was McCallum’s fourth domestic offence. "He knows he is treading a fine line, standing his history,” said Mr Aitken. Addressing McCallum directly, Sheriff Labaki said: “You have assaulted your partner by striking her on the head to her injury. This is your fourth domestic offence and you have another domestic assault. "There is no alternative but a custodial sentence.” She sent McCallum, 74 Hamiton Street, Camelon, to prison for eight months and made him subject to a non-harassment order not to have contact with his partner for 12 months. As he was being told his sentence, McCallum said: “So I’m getting the jail then?” Have you got a story you want to share with our readers? You can now send it to us online via YourWorld at https://www.yourworld.net/submit/ It's free to use and, once checked, your story will appear on our website and, space allowing, in our newspapers

Technology

'I hate needles': Ol' red eyes avoids police test after being found asleep in car on Forth Valley Royal Hospital grounds

When Duncan Lambie, 42, did eventually wake up he looked up at them with bloodshot eyes. Officers suspected he may have been somewhat worse for wear but they could not get proof because he refused a blood test, stating he was scared of needles. Appearing from custody via video link at Falkirk Sheriff Court last Thursday, Lambie had pleaded guilty to driving while disqualified without insurance at Forth Valley Royal Hospital on September 2. He also admitted failing to provide a blood specimen to police. The procurator fiscal depute said: “It was 12.40pm when police officers attended at the location on other matters. They saw a grey Audi parked and the accused was in the driver’s side of the vehicle half asleep. "Officers took possession of the key to the vehicle due to the accused being difficult to rouse and having bloodshot eyes. He said the vehicle was not his but he was insured to drive it.” When he was taken to the police station, Lambie refused to give a blood test, saying “I hate needles – I hate blood being taken”. The court heard Lambie’s rate of offending had increased in recent years and he had now been in custody for 50 days. Sheriff Maryam Labaki noted the period of time Lambie, 23 Glenshee, Whitburn, had spent in custody and placed him on a restriction of liberty order, meaning he must remain in his home from 7pm to 7am for the next six months. He was also banned from driving for four years. Have you got a story you want to share with our readers? You can now send it to us online via YourWorld at https://www.yourworld.net/submit/ It's free to use and, once checked, your story will appear on our website and, space allowing, in our newspapers