Teen in court after manure sprayed on streets in ‘protest against Pride event'
Isaac Adams, from Lislaban Road, Cloughmills, appeared before Coleraine Magistrates Court on Monday following the incident on Saturday morning. He faces charges of criminal damage, possessing a lock knife, and causing manure to be deposited on the road.
The court heard that Mr Adams was apprehended "red-handed" by police in the early hours of Saturday, wearing a balaclava and carrying two empty 25-litre jugs that had contained the manure. He reportedly told officers his actions were a protest against the town's first Pride event, which was scheduled for Saturday afternoon.
Mr Adams admitted to filling four or five drums of hen litter waste from his farm and pouring it onto the road with the intention of disrupting the parade.
A number of references were handed into court, including 'six of his elders' from his local church, who said it was 'very much out of character'.
Constable Coyle confirmed to the court that on Saturday, June 28, at approximately 2.45am, police were patrolling in the town centre of Ballymena when they came across the defendant.
He was found wearing a balaclava, carrying two empty 25-litre jugs, which he stated had contained manure.
The defendant admitted he'd been spreading the manure over the surrounding roads in order to disrupt the Ballymena Pride parade, which was set to take place later that same day.
The defendant was searched, and a lock knife was found in his pocket.
He was arrested for criminal damage and possession of a bladed article.
Whilst under caution, the defendant freely admitted that he had committed the act in protest against the upcoming parade later that day.
He admitted to spreading the waste manure in the town and told police he was not the only person involved.
Adams admitted to wearing the balaclava to conceal his identity, and he confirmed the manure was a hen litter waste.
He said he had filled four or five drums of waste from his own farm, and he described it as a prank.
Police opposed bail but said that the defendant does not have any criminal record, that the event has now passed and that a co-accused, who was arrested on Saturday, has been bailed until November.
Solicitor for the accused, Stewart Ballentine, told the court that Adams co-operated fully with police and made admissions.
'He indicated that he was foolish and stupid to get involved in this prank, as he describes it, but it obviously backfired on him,' Mr Ballentine said.
Ms Coyle agreed that the accused showed remorse and described it as a prank.
The accused is a maintenance engineer and works on the family farm and had been wearing work trousers at the time of the incident, which contained the lock knife.
'He's a man who has never been in trouble in life before,' Mr Ballentine added.
'He is in full-time employment.
'It wasn't a slurry tanker as such that was driving up the streets of Ballymena. These were some small canisters with hen manure in them.
'As far as the parade on Saturday was concerned, that was not in any way inconvenienced, and all persons who wished to attend were able to do so.'
Photographs of the manure were handed into court.
The court was told that it cost the local authority £788.39 to clean up the mess.
Mr Ballentine added: 'His mother and father are concerned about this matter. They're both in the body of the court.
'I hand in a reference from his employer. He speaks highly of this young man, and also handed in references from six of his elders at his local church, who also say this is very much out of character.
'This man has never been arrested in his life before. He's had an experience of being detained in custody all over the weekend, and this is totally new to this young man, and hopefully, he will never be back.
'He comes from a very law-abiding stock, a family stock in the North Antrim area, and he's a hard-working young man, and really should have been at other, more productive things than this prank, which badly went wrong.
'He greatly assisted the police investigation, and one of the other parties has been arrested.
'I wonder what the evidence may or may not be in relation to that matter. But my client was the only man who was actually caught red-handed, so to speak, and he made full admissions right from the outset.
'He was pretty much caught in the headlights of the police vehicle and made full admissions and certainly he has learned, very sadly, lessons from his experiences over the last few days.'
The court heard that the incident was organised over messages and phone calls.
Adams was granted bail under a number of conditions, including that he reside at an address at Lislaban Road in Cloughmills, not to enter Ballymena, not possess a phone capable of internet access, and remain under curfew between 11pm and 5am.
Adams was warned that breaching his bail conditions would not be considered a prank.
A 20-year-old man who was also arrested in connection with the incident has been released on police bail and is due to appear in court in November.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Independent
10 minutes ago
- The Independent
Woman said she was ‘Jesus sent to eliminate evil' after killing landlord and cat
For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice A woman said she was 'Jesus' and had been 'sent to eliminate evil from the world' after battering her 72-year-old friend to death and stabbing his pet cat in the neck, a court has heard. Habiba Naveed, 35, previously denied the murder of her landlord Christopher Brown, but pleaded guilty to his manslaughter. She also admitted causing unnecessary suffering to his cat Snow by stabbing him in the neck on or before August 15 last year. At a hearing at the Old Bailey on Thursday, Judge Sarah Munro KC imposed a hospital order under Section 37 of the Mental Health Act and a restriction order under Section 41 – meaning Naveed can be detained indefinitely. At the time of the offence, Naveed, who has been diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia, was 'psychotic' – while her mental health had 'deteriorated' in the days preceding the attack, the court heard. Prosecutor Kerry Broome told the court Naveed believed she had connections to the royal family and was Diana, Princess of Wales and Dodi Fayed's daughter. After the attack, Naveed told her brother 'she was Jesus and had been sent to eliminate evil from the world', and later said to police 'the devil attacked me last night and I won,' Ms Broome said. The court heard Naveed had also told police she 'slept in coffins', and Jesus had raised her from the dead. The Metropolitan Police launched an investigation after Mr Brown's body was discovered under a dressing gown in the living room of the home he shared with Naveed in Polsted Road, Lewisham, south-east London. The house cat, Snow, was also found dead having been stabbed in the neck. Ms Broome said of a previous account of the attack given by the defendant: 'She believed she had seen the deceased kill his mother and that the deceased was evil.' 'She heard a voice telling her to kill him three times,' she said, adding that Naveed hit Mr Brown with a pan and then strangled him. 'She believed the evil spirit had jumped out of the deceased and into the cat.' 'She got a knife and she cut the cat's neck,' Mr Broome added. The pair had lived together at Polsted Road for several years, during which Mr Brown was persuaded to put the property, which he had inherited from his parents, in both his and Naveed's names, the prosecutor said. The house was refurbished and lodgers were taken in, which Naveed orchestrated, the court heard. In the days leading up to the attack, Naveed's family were concerned at the state of her mental health – leading them to call 111 and call an ambulance, the hearing was told. Sentencing, Judge Munro told the defendant: 'You attacked Chris between around 11pm and 11.50pm on August 14. 'You hit Chris a number of times to the head with a saucepan which broke in the process; you then sat on him breaking his ribs and strangled him. 'You then slit the cat's throat before leaving Chris covered in a dressing gown alone and dead or dying in the living room property where he was found by Mr Rizwan (a lodger) when he returned to the house at 2.15am on 15th. 'You left a bloodied knife with which you had cut the cat's throat nearby.' She added: 'The consultant forensic psychiatrist was of the view that the injuries fitted your account which shows that you were conscious of exactly what you were doing as you killed Chris.' The judge said two psychiatrists agreed on the diagnosis of paranoid schizophrenia and that Naveed had 'no insight' into her mental health, diagnosis or symptoms. Naveed repeatedly became aggressive during previous hospital admissions and had been off her proscribed medication for a year at the time of the killing, the court heard. The defendant was a frequent user of cannabis which exacerbates her symptoms but, did not cause her psychosis, according to psychiatrists, the judge said. Mitigating factors beyond Naveed's mental illness included her lack of any serious previous offending, while aggravating factors included her use of strangulation and a weapon, the judge added. A post-mortem examination found that Mr Brown, who was a lawyer, died from blunt force trauma. In a tearful statement, a colleague from Mr Brown's law firm told the hearing that the victim would have helped anyone if he could, adding that Naveed had taken away any 'future memories'. She said: 'He wasn't just a 72-year-old-man tragically killed by his housemate, he was a solicitor, a boss, a partner, a kind man.' In a statement read out by Ms Broome, Mr Brown's cousin described him as a 'kind and caring person' who would go out of his way to help his family and his clients. Naveed attended the hearing via video-link and only spoke to confirm her identity.
The Independent
10 minutes ago
- The Independent
Scottish airport fined £144,000 for failures that led to death of employee
The company that runs Glasgow Prestwick Airport has been fined more than £144,000 for failures that led to a member of airport staff falling to his death when a guardrail gave way. Joseph Dempsey, an experienced member of the airport's ground handling team, died in the incident on January 11 2023. The 59-year-old had been preparing to unload cargo from an aircraft using a pallet loader. He had positioned the loader alongside the aircraft and was repositioning a guardrail when it suddenly gave way and he fell to the tarmac some 10 feet (three metres) below. Mr Dempsey's colleagues immediately went to his assistance and paramedics attempted CPR and advanced life support. However, these efforts proved unsuccessful and Mr Dempsey was pronounced dead at the scene. An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) found that one of the guardrail posts had completely fractured, and that there were visible signs of significant corrosion, discolouration and flaking white paint around the area. At Ayr Sheriff Court on June 25, Glasgow Prestwick Airport Ltd pled guilty to a breach of health and safety legislation, having failed to ensure the pallet loader was maintained and in good repair. At the same court on Thursday, the company was fined £144,050, including a victim surcharge of £10,050. Debbie Carroll leads on health and safety investigations for the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS). Speaking after the sentencing, she said: 'Joseph Dempsey lost his life in circumstances which could have been avoided if Prestwick Airport had in place a suitable and adequate maintenance and inspection programme to ensure the equipment he was using was in a good state of repair. 'This prosecution should remind duty holders that a failure to fulfil their obligations can have fatal consequences and they will be held accountable for this failure.' Metallurgical examination of the guardrail posts carried out during the investigation found differences in chemical composition, manufacturing, and wall thickness which indicated the posts were manufactured from two different tubing sections. The HSE found these welded sections were not a feature of the manufacture's original design, and appeared to have been modified while the loader was under the ownership of Prestwick Airport. The investigation also found the welds on both the guardrail posts contained defects which would allow moisture in, creating a corrosive environment and speeding up deterioration. It was also found that the maintenance programme in place at the time did not cover the parts of the guardrail where failure or deterioration could lead to health and safety risks. Graeme McMinn, HM principal inspector of health and safety, said: 'Employers have an absolute legal duty to ensure that equipment they use at work is maintained in an efficient state and in good repair and full working order. 'This incident is a tragic reminder of what can result when that does not happen.' Since the incident, Prestwick Airport has undertaken a review of all work at height, and checks of the guardrails on the platform loaders have been made part of the regular service and inspection schedule.
Daily Mail
11 minutes ago
- Daily Mail
Moment actor who played PC Reg Hollis in The Bill turns real-life crimefighter to foil runaway thief before handing him over to real police
This is the incredible moment the actor who played PC Reg Hollis in The Bill turns into a real-life crimefighter to foil a runaway thief before handing him over to the real police. Footage has captured Jeff Stewart, best known for playing the legendary role of PC Reg Hollis in The Bill, assisting Hampshire police officers in arresting a shoplifter in Southampton on Wednesday, July 23. Two members of the force are initially seen chasing after 29-year-old Mohammed Diallo as he exited a Co-op supermarket in Southampton with his bike. While the thief initially manages to get on his bike, he eventually falls off, with officers quickly tackling him to the ground in a car park as he desperately tries to escape their grip. Then, Mr Stewart, who starred in over 900 episodes of the hit ITV drama from its inception in 1984 until he left in 2008, proceeds to sprint across to assist police with the shoplifter, helping to sit on his legs as officers arrest him. As an officer turns to the Scottish actor to thank him, Mr Stewart, 69, is heard saying in response: 'Well, I was in The Bill for 24 years'. One bewildered officer then replies: 'Amazing! Were you? Can we have a photo with you after?' Following the incident, Hampshire Police praised the quick-thinking assistance of Mr Stewart, with a force spokesman remarking: 'Long since retired from Sun Hill station - but he's still got it!' This is the incredible moment Jeff Stewart (pictured), the actor who played PC Reg Hollis in The Bill, turns into a real-life crimefighter to foil a runaway thief before handing him over to the police Footage has captured Mr Stewart (pictured) assisting Hampshire police officers in arresting a shoplifter in Southampton on Wednesday, July 23 As an officer turns to the Scottish actor to thank him, Mr Stewart, 69, is heard saying in response: 'Well, I was in The Bill for 24 years' Pictured: Mr Steward with one of the Hampshire Police officers he assisted that day Reflecting on his incredible help that day, they added: 'In policing you should always expect the unexpected, but this really wasn't on The Bill for this week. 'Officers making an arrest in Southampton were aided by none other than TV's PC Reg Hollis during an incident on Wednesday July 23. 'The officers... were in the city in the afternoon when they were alerted by staff at Co-op in Ocean Way to a suspected shoplifter, who attempted to make good his escape on a bicycle.' As he attempted to flee the scene, the thief, 29-year-old Mohammed Diallo, then fell off his bike, with officers quickly moving in to make their arrest. But, to their surprise, they had some special assistance - 'local TV legend Jeff Stewart - who played PC Hollis for 24 years in The Bill - came to their aid by sitting on the suspect's legs while officers put him in cuffs.' Sam Holton, who witnessed the incredible ordeal, was working from his home when he heard 'lots of screaming and commotion' outside. He added: 'I see this guy cycling away, and he is being chased by a member of the public and two police. 'By the time I had whipped out my phone, the first police officer tackled the guy to the floor on his bike, and the other chap caught up. Mr Stewart, who starred in over 900 episodes of the hit ITV drama from its inception in 1984 until he left in 2008, proceeds to sprint across to assist police with the shoplifter, helping to sit on his legs as officers arrest him. Pictured: Mr Stewart as PC Reg Hollis in 'The Bill' in 2007 Following the incident, Hampshire Constabulary praised the quick-thinking assistance of Mr Stewart, with a force spokesman remarking: 'Long since retired from Sun Hill station - but he's still got it!' Two members of the force are initially seen chasing after 29-year-old Mohammed Diallo as he exited a shop in Southampton with his bike Sam Holton, who witnessed the incredible ordeal, was working from his home when he heard 'lots of screaming and commotion' outside 'There was an older guy chasing behind the police. He helped the police hold the guy.' Diallo - from Southampton - admitted five counts of theft, totalling £284 at Southampton Magistrates Court. He will be sentenced next week. Mr Stewart first shot to fame as PC Reg Hollis in the soap in which he appeared for nearly a thousand episodes. He starred alongside Graham Cole's PC Tony Stamp and Mark Wingett's character DC Jim Carver. Though he didn't appear in the pilot episode, he featured regularly from the first regular instalment onwards and appeared in a total of 872 episodes. The star played Reg for 24 years, before the character was axed in January 2008. Speaking in 2011 about the decision, Mr Stewart told The Sun: 'I felt I had been badly let down.' A spokesman for Hampshire Police said: 'Officers making an arrest in Southampton were aided by none other than TV's PC Reg Hollis during an incident on Wednesday July 23' Diallo (pictured) - from Southampton - admitted five counts of theft, totalling £284 at Southampton Magistrates Court. He will be sentenced next week While he initially manages to get on his bike, he eventually falls off, with officers quickly tackling him to the ground in a car park as he desperately tries to escape their grip After hearing the plans from the show's producers, the Scotsman went back to his dressing room and still dazed by the news, attempted to take his own life. As he began to black out, he changed his mind and rang the front desk for help. Luckily he was found in time and was rushed from the studios in Merton, South West London to hospital. 'I didn't see a counsellor, it was evident I was OK and I never worried how it would affect my career. 'I thought, "I have a choice, you can either stagnate or blossom"', he added. Though Mr Stewart (pictured in 2007) didn't appear in the pilot episode, the star played Reg for 24 years, before the character was axed in January 2008 Mr Stewart first shot to fame as PC Reg Hollis in the soap in which he appeared for nearly a thousand episodes. He starred alongside Graham Cole's PC Tony Stamp and Mark Wingett's character DC Jim Carver Though The Bill was Mr Stewart's (pictured centre, biggest role to date, Mr Stewart has appeared in a number of other programmes including Crossroads, Doctor Who and Hi-De-Hi! The Bill ran for a total of 26 years, with the popular series ending in 2010 after being axed - much to the dismay of staunch fans. Though The Bill was his biggest role to date, Mr Stewart has appeared in a number of other programmes including Crossroads, Doctor Who and Hi-De-Hi!. He has also starred in independent films and won a Best Actor award for his role in Under Jakob's Ladder at the Manhattan Film Festival in 2011.
