Men Charged With Sexual Assault

Two men will stand trial following charges in connection with the alleged sexual assault of another man.

Belfast Magistrates Court has ruled Martin Doherty, 34, whose address has been given as Maghaberry Prison, is charged with sexual assault in Belfast in November 2009.

Paul Berne, 26, is accused of aiding and abetting.

Both the accused will return to court at a later date

On Wednesday, both defendants spoke only to confirm they understood the charges, declining the opportunity to give evidence or call witnesses.

A prosecution lawyer said the case against the pair was prima facie, indicating the facts have made the outcome of the case self evident.

District Judge Fiona Bagnall granted the application.

Sneezing Fit Causes Damage Worth £37,000

£37,000 worth of damage has been caused to a hair dressing salon by a male driver who was overcome by a fit of sneezing.

A court has heard how Dermot O'Hara, 20, of Seacoast Road in Limavady, had stopped at traffic lights and when they changed he had driven off. He was then overcome with sneezing, causing him to crash.

Mr O’Hara was charged with careless driving on 30 March.

He was fined £300 and given six penalty points.

Defence solicitor Peter Jack told Limavady Magistrates Court the defendent had been driving his father's powerful car, and that he explained to his client how the damage could have been greater, had the incident occurred earlier in the day.

The judge said he was concerned about the inexperience shown by O'Hara and asked why he did not simply stop.

Police Drop Rape Investigation

The PSNI are no longer investigating a report that a woman in her 20s was raped in south Belfast.

The alleged incident is reported to have happened shortly before 02:00 in Stranmillis on Wednesday.

Police said that after further enquiries, detectives the Rape Crime Unit were no longer investigating.

Tesco Store To Create 90 Jobs

A new Tesco store due to open today has created 90 jobs for Northern Ireland.

The store, on the Castlereagh Road in east Belfast, is one of over 50 located across Northern Ireland.

Tesco has said it will sell £1bn worth of locally-sourced products in its stores over the next two years.

(IT/GK)