Robert Charles Rodgers, 63, faces eight charges related to the theft and possession of ammunition from a Police Service of Northern Ireland training centre at Steeple in Antrim. The alleged offences occurred between June and October last year.

Charges include stealing PSNI ammunition, possessing ammunition without a firearms licence, and possessing firearms and ammunition in suspicious circumstances. He also faces accusations of fraud, dishonestly abusing his position by creating a security card for armoury access, and possessing gun powder in suspicious circumstances.

The case appeared at Antrim Magistrates Court, sitting in Ballymena. An investigating officer reported a significant amount of material in the case file, due for submission to prosecutors in coming weeks.

The court adjourned the case to mid-April. The PSNI has suspended Rodgers pending the outcome of the case and internal misconduct proceedings.