Other News In Brief

Man Convicted Of Benefit Fraud

A man has been convicted of benefit fraud for claiming benefits he was not entitled to at L'Derry Magistrates' Court.

William Brown claimed Jobseekers Allowance totalling £3,989 while failing to declare an occupational pension. He was given an absolute discharge.

He is also required to repay the outstanding money wrongfully obtained to the Social Security Agency.

Farmer Fined For Pollution Offence

A farmer has been fined for making polluting discharges to a waterway at Newtownards Magistrates' Court.

Paul Maxwell from Co Down was fined a total of £22,500 plus Offenders Levy of £15.

On 14 February 2014, 20 February 2014 and 6 March 2014 Water Quality Inspectors, acting on behalf of the Northern Ireland Environment Agency, inspected an unnamed tributary of the Blackstaff River.

The pollution was caused by slurry overflowing from an above ground concrete slurry tank. The slurry flowed across farm land from which it discharged into an unnamed tributary of the Blackstaff River.

Samples taken at the time of the incident confirmed that the discharges contained very high Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD) with very high Total Ammonia, Suspended Solids and high Chloride contents.

The discharge point contained poisonous, noxious and polluting matter which would have been potentially harmful to aquatic life in a receiving waterway.

Lunn Selected To Stand For Assembly

Alliance MLA Trevor Lunn is to defend his Lagan Valley seat, after he was again selected to stand in the next Assembly election.

An MLA since 2007, Mr Lunn has worked consistently to build a future free from sectarianism, intimidation and social exclusion – a job he plans to continue in the next Assembly term.

Mr Lunn said: "I am delighted and honoured to accept the nomination and look forward to the challenge of another election campaign.

"Alliance is the only Party clear on the rule of law, financially responsible and socially progressive, offering the voters a clear alternative to the divisive politics consistently demonstrated by other Parties."

(CD/JP)