Police Appeal Following Aggravated Burglary In Belfast

Police are appealing for information following an aggravated burglary at a house in the Witham Street area in Belfast on Thursday, 03 March.

Detective Sergeant Conor Sweeney said: "Shortly after 7.00pm police received a report that one woman and four men forced their way into a house. They were carrying what is believed to be either poles or sticks.

"Once inside the house they assaulted the female occupier and caused damage to the interior of the premises. It is believed the assailants left the scene in a small yellow car and a silver people carrier type vehicle."

The woman was treated for minor injuries.

Man Convicted Of Benefit Fraud

A man has been convicted for claiming benefits he was not entitled to at Craigavon Magistrates' Court.

Robert Wilson claimed Jobseekers Allowance and Housing Benefit totalling £1,918 while failing to declare employment. He was given a three month prison sentence suspended for two years.

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

Pace Of Change In NI Needs To Increase – Ford

Alliance leader David Ford has said the pace of change in Northern Ireland needs to increase, as part of his speech at the party's annual conference.

The South Antrim MLA said the other Executive parties had been guilty of holding back Northern Ireland for too long.

Mr Ford said: "The leaders of the other main parties have failed time and again to deliver the significant, important changes this society needs. They have dithered and disagreed, protecting their own votes at the expense of progress. They have prevented us from dealing with the past in a way which would allow us to move into the future.

"Unlike others, Alliance has a proven record of working to unite this community, of fiscal responsibility and of progressive social values. They are the values that have driven Alliance for 46 years.

"No other party is fully committed to building a united community and no other party can say it is as representative of every section of the community as Alliance.

"It is time we stopped the delay, the fudge and the waffle of other parties and moved ahead, further and faster, to build a united community."

(CD/JP)