Lisburn Magistrates Court deferred sentence for six months on Ryan Hull, 34, from Thalia Street in Belfast, charged with theft of £760 in cash and jewellery.

On June 20, 2024, police visited an address in Hilden Court, Lisburn, after a report of missing items. The complainant stated Hull had stayed overnight on June 19 and later found £60 missing from her purse.

Officers recovered the cash from Hull's sock. A search of his mother's home in Belfast uncovered a bracelet that Hull confirmed belonged to the complainant.

District Judge Rosie Watters described the theft as a breach of trust committed while Hull was a guest in the house.

Defence counsel noted a positive pre-sentence report and said Hull addresses past drug use linked to childhood trauma through voluntary groups and NHS services.

Judge Watters set conditions for deferral until October 8: no further offences, proof of attendance at Community Addictions, a positive probation report, and £650 compensation.

She stated that compliance would avoid custody but warned of prison otherwise.