Other News In Brief

Hijacking In North Belfast

A vehicle was hijacked at gunpoint on Thursday in north Belfast.

The incident occurred at 17:00 on the Ligoniel Road, when a man was sitting in his car and another man carrying a firearm got into the passenger seat of the vehicle.

The driver was then forced to drive his car to the Elmfield Street area, where two other men appeared, threatened the driver and told him to get out of the car.

The silver Ford Mondeo was found burned out in the Jamaica Street area at about 21:30.

Shop Lifter Jailed

A shop lifter who spat blood at police has been jailed at Londonderry Magistrates Court.

22-year-old David McCloskey of Nicholson Square admitted theft to the tune of £500 from a Tesco store at Strand Road in the city.

He also admitted causing criminal damage when he smashed tables and chairs in the store's staff room after being detained by security staff.

While struggling with police he sustained a cut lip and spat blood at them, leading police to put a mask over his face.

The offences were committed in September.

Altnagelvin Hospital Fire Accidental - Report

A preliminary report on the fire at L’Derry’s Altnagelvin Hospital has found it was started accidentally.

The blaze occurred last Friday on the roof of the hospital and led to 100 patients having to be removed.

The report from the Fire Service showed the fire began in a small room on the roof containing electrical equipment, near water storage tanks.

The fire service said the blaze "did not start in the fabric of the main building" and "was not caused by the fabric of the main building".

"We would like to thank like to thank the Western Trust for its cooperation which has enabled the fire investigators to produce their preliminary findings in such a short period of time," the report added.

Three wards on the top floors were closed following the fire; the second at the premises in just over a fortnight.

L'Derry Police Donate Seized Goods To Charity

Police in L’Derry have donated seized goods and toys to charity shops in the city centre.

The Foyle Neighbourhood City Centre Team delivered the goods, which were seized in the commission of crime where the victims cannot be identified.

The donations included children’s toys, clothing, jewellery and electrical items.

Barnardos, Oxfam, Saint Vincent de Paul and Action Cancer were the shops that received the goods.

Neighbourhood Constable John Bannon said: "We consider it highly appropriate to give back to the community and constantly look at ways to support our local community and organisations within it. This will be an ongoing initiative and we hope to continue to donate more goods throughout next year."

(IT)