Other NI News In Brief

Paedophile Porn Cop Jailed

A former policeman has been jailed after admitting possessing over 600 indecent images of children. Yesterday, Brian Wilfred Richard Connor, 46, from Knockloughrim near Magherafelt, was sentenced to six months in prison. He had been a PSNI officer based at Cookstown PSNI and had been a police officer for 25 years - including RUC service. His home computers were found to contain more than 600 indecent images and he pleaded guilty to 27 charges relating to the downloading indecent images of children between 2006 and 2010. Passing sentence at Londonderry Crown Court, Judge Piers Grant said that men like him robbed children of their innocence and their childhood.

Glandore Avenue Alert

There's a security alert underway on the Antrim Road in north Belfast this evening with the Army bomb squad examining a suspicious object near Glandore Avenue which was reported at around 3pm on Tuesday. Between 80 and 100 properties have now been moved out, with rest facilities being offered at Fortwilliam and McCrory Presbyterian Church. The Antrim Road has been cordoned off in both directions from the Limestone Road and Fortwilliam Park with motorists being advised to avoid the area. In October 2009 a bomb was thrown over the perimeter wall of the North Irish Horse Territorial Army base in the Glandore Avenue area. There were no injuries.

Benefits Fraud Sentenced

A Londonderry woman was last week given three months imprisonment suspended for three years and ordered to pay court costs of £79 for failure to declare employment while claiming Income Support and Housing Benefit totalling £14,856. A second Londonderry woman was given one month imprisonment suspended for 12 months and ordered to pay court costs of £112 for failure to declare employment while claiming Job Seekers Allowance totalling £2,597. A third Londonderry woman was given 160 hours community service for failure to declare employment while claiming Income Support, Housing Benefit and Incapacity Benefit totalling £33,535. All are also required to repay any outstanding money wrongfully obtained to the Social Security Agency.

Cancer 'Hits Poor Hardest'

The Ulster Cancer Foundation has urged MLAs to help reduce the growing health divide between rich and poor - one of the leading causes of cancer inequalities. Launching their Manifesto at Stormont, the charity is calling on public health programmes to be targeted to those at greatest risk. Roisin Foster, Chief Executive, UCF said: "The stark reality is that social deprivation is linked to an increased risk of cancer and poorer survival rates. We want to encourage our politicians to support public health initiatives such as the strategies for tobacco, obesity, skin cancer, physical activity and the Cancer Services Framework whilst developing innovative methods to engage with those groups at greatest risk as this will have a profound effect on reducing cancer incidence rates, improving quality of life and well-being as well as lowering mortality."

Magherafelt Developed

The Stormont Social Development Minister Alex Attwood has announced the launch of a draft masterplan for Magherafelt town centre. The purpose of the masterplan is to provide strategic guidance for the regeneration and development of the town centre over the next 15 years. Proposals include new paving, lighting and street furniture in Market Street, Broad Street and other areas throughout the town; developing sites for retail, commercial residential and leisure opportunities; the provision of new signage and information throughout the town at key locations and the creation of a heritage trail; improving parking facilities in the town centre and undertaking a traffic and transport study to inform future policy after the bypass has been constructed and improving pedestrian and vehicle access through out the town.

Ardoyne Attack Slammed

The Sinn Fein MLA for north Belfast Gerry Kelly has hit-out at those responsible for a punishment attack against a man in Ardoyne on Saturday. "A young man was assaulted and humiliated by having paint thrown over him in public," he said. "These people do not represent the community; I condemn their futile actions outright. If people have evidence of crime and anti-social activity then they should seek redress through the courts," the former republican prisoner and Maze escapee said.

Portadown Care Boosted

NI's Minister for Social Development, Alex Attwood and Minister for Health, Social Services and Public Safety, Michael McGimpsey, have officially opened a new £1.3million supported housing scheme in Portadown. Locke House will provide accommodation for individuals with severe and enduring mental illness and a range of mental health needs. The scheme consists of seven self contained apartments and seven individual en suite bedrooms with shared facilities including common rooms, kitchens and a laundry room. Locke House was developed by South Ulster Housing Association and will be managed by Praxis Care, who will provide support for residents according to their individual needs. The new building is designed to allow residents to experience everyday living, with space for leisure and recreational activities and allow residents to live as independently as possible.

(BMcC/GK)