Man stole electricity

During the search of a house in Laurencetown police discovered that the electricity meter had been by-passed.

Ryan Potts (19), Millar Park, Laurencetown, admitted dishonestly diverting electricity on November 19 last year, causing or allowing damage to be caused to the meter and preventing electricity from recording.

For each of the three offences he was sentenced to two months in prison, suspended for 12 months. The terms are to run concurrently.

Banbridge Magistrates Court heard last Thursday that while police were searching the Millar Park house they noticed that the electricity meter was being by-passed.

Potts blamed this on a third party. He now had an agreement with the NIE to pay off the sum of £248.59.

His barrister said there was a 40 per cent surcharge on every bill he received so the amount would be paid off fairly quickly.