Two men appeared before Ballymena Magistrates' Court on Thursday for separate offences involving vehicle theft and damage to a children's day care centre.

Cahir McFall, with addresses in Maghera and Upperlands, received six months in custody and a one-year driving ban for taking an Audi from a marina in June last year. The car was found damaged on a grass verge in Draperstown, with an e-bike missing from its roof rack and the steering column damaged.

CCTV from Portglenone and Draperstown linked McFall to the theft, and DNA from the steering wheel confirmed his involvement. The victim, present in court, said the total repair cost was £280, and District Judge Nigel Broderick noted her personal statement outlined financial loss, significant inconvenience, and emotional trauma.

A defence barrister said McFall pleaded guilty, regrets his actions, and had been associating with negative peers while struggling with drug and alcohol addiction.

In a separate case, Nicholas McCrudden, 27, of Dunvale in Ballymena, admitted burglary, criminal damage, and vehicle interference at Norwood Children's Day Care Centre on March 20. Nothing was stolen, but windows costing £480 to repair were damaged, and doors of parked vehicles were opened.

CCTV and blood DNA identified McCrudden, who broke in at 5am with an unidentified second suspect. A prosecutor said the second person was never identified due to lack of forensic evidence.

A defence solicitor said the targeting of the nursery was "completely random" and that McCrudden expressed disgust at damaging a business used by young children. She told the court he had addiction issues and had gone off the rails after falling in with certain people.

District Judge Broderick described damage to the nursery as a significant aggravating feature. McCrudden was sentenced to one year on probation with a condition to receive addiction treatment and pay £480 compensation.