BALLYMENA: Eight women who worked as mental health care staff at Muckamore Hospital have been sent to Belfast Crown Court to face dozens of charges including false imprisonment and wilful neglect or ill-treatment of patients, with offences alleged between May and September 2017. Each defendant was released on their own bail of £300, with arraignment scheduled for next month.

BALLYMENA: A 53-year-old man has appeared in court charged with possession of a Class B controlled drug with intent to supply, following the seizure of suspected cannabis with an estimated street value of £4 million from a lorry at Larne Harbour. He also faces charges of having no driving licence and using a motor vehicle without insurance.

BALLYMENA: A 54-year-old man who has pleaded not guilty to dangerous driving, driving whilst unfit, and failing to stop a motorbike for police in the Grove Road and Sentry Hill areas of Ballymena is to contest the case on May 18. He has pleaded guilty to riding a motorcycle without holding a licence for that class of vehicle.

CRAIGAVON: A 62-year-old man charged with threatening to kill a woman and possessing a knife as an offensive weapon appeared at Craigavon Magistrates' Court via video link from prison. He was further remanded in custody and the case was adjourned to May 12 for arraignment at Craigavon Crown Court.