Man Convicted Of Benefit Fraud

A man has been convicted for claiming benefits he was not entitled to.

Aaron Sinclair (26) of Shankill Road, Belfast claimed Jobseekers Allowance and Housing Benefit totalling £1,603 while failing to declare employment. He was given a three month prison sentence suspended for 18 months.

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

Call For Investigation To Be Carried Out Over Circus Incident

The Alliance Party is calling for an investigation into an incident at a circus in Carrickfergus in which a number of people were treated for the effects of breathing in fumes. Nobody was seriously ill.

Stewart Dickson MLA said: "I am very thankful that nobody became seriously ill in this incident. This could have been much worse, especially given the number of people in attendance at this circus.

"There must be a full and proper investigation into what caused this incident.

"While thankfully nobody was seriously ill, I must pay tribute to all the emergency services personnel who attended this incident. I am sure that their professionalism and training ensured that people were treated quickly and properly."

Homophobic Hate Crime In West Belfast Condemned

SDLP West Belfast Councillor Tim Attwood has condemned a homophobic hate crime that occurred in west Belfast.

At around 9pm paint was thrown at a house in Roden Street causing damage to a window.

Mr Attwood said: "This deplorable incident must be condemned in the strongest terms by all aspects of society. There must be no ambiguity that homophobia and attempted intimidation have no place in west Belfast.

"As a society we must act to protect all vulnerable communities from such intolerance and I encourage anyone who may have information about the attack to contact the PSNI by phoning 101."

(CD/MH)