BALLYMENA: A man with 173 previous convictions who threatened to stab a staff member with a needle at the Fairhill Shopping Centre CCTV control room, assaulted two staff members and three police officers, and spat on officers at Antrim Area Hospital was jailed for five months. Ciaran McKeown (31), whose record includes kidnapping, firearms and explosives offences, pleaded guilty to the charges at Ballymena Magistrates Court.

LISBURN: A life-sentenced prisoner serving a minimum of 20 years for murder told a judge he was giving her a 'dose of your own medicine' before electing for a Crown Court jury trial on a charge of causing actual bodily harm to a fellow prisoner. Michael Lenaghan (57), who represented himself after saying 16 solicitors had refused to take his case, was remanded in custody with the case adjourned for a committal hearing date to be fixed.

NEWCASTLE: A man has been returned for trial in connection with an alleged stabbing on Newcastle beach.