Courts across Northern Ireland handled several cases between 26 and 29 May.

A 17-year-old girl and three teenage boys appeared at Newtownards Youth Court on Tuesday charged with affray on High Street in Bangor on 27 March. The girl faces an additional charge of common assault against a search and rescue volunteer. Two of the boys face charges of causing actual bodily harm to the volunteer and causing unnecessary suffering to his dog. The girl was refused permission to return home due to an active threat against her.

Paul Telfair, 45, of no fixed abode, appeared at Belfast Magistrates' Court on Wednesday. He faces charges of possessing a knife in public, disorderly behaviour, assault on police and criminal damage. Police said Telfair displayed a seven-inch knife to a taxi driver on the Ballyclare Road in Newtownabbey and later kneed an officer during his arrest.

Four men are to be tried together following charges connected to a suspected prostitution operation spanning six years, Belfast Magistrates' Court was told on Thursday. Oliver James MacCormack, 72, faces 14 charges including rape and human trafficking. Derek Brown, 62, faces charges of paying for sexual services and being concerned in the supply of cocaine.

Cahir Deeney, 38, of Dungiven, was sentenced at Antrim Crown Court on Thursday to 26 months in prison, half to be served in custody and half on licence. He pleaded guilty to non-fatal strangulation of his former partner in Portstewart on 8 December 2024.

Paul Kelly, 32, of no fixed abode, was jailed for nine months at Belfast Magistrates' Court on Friday after pleading guilty to assault occasioning actual bodily harm. The offence occurred at the Ibis Hotel on Castle Street in Belfast on 2 April.

Neil and Donna Sands were granted leave to appeal at the Court of Appeal in September against a ruling setting aside their £300,000 damages award in a defamation case. A temporary stay was also placed on lifting a worldwide freezing order on £1.8m in assets belonging to the defendant.