Some of the cases this week included the first person being convicted of rioting in Ballymena in June
Newtownards Magistrates’ Court (Image: Brian Lawless/PA Wire)
While our courts are quieter over the summer months, there have still been a number of hearings across Northern Ireland this past week.
Some of the cases this week included the first person convicted of rioting in Ballymena in June receiving a four month prison sentence after pleading guilty in court.
Also in this week’s court headlines was a man appearing in the dock charged with causing the death of teenager Jaidyn Rice by dangerous driving.
READ MORE: Mum of murdered Irish soldier slams “sham” trial that sentenced “untraceable” man to deathREAD MORE: Murder victim’s brother dies days after receiving police apology
And a judge stressed that the trial of former DUP leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson and his wife Lady Eleanor Donaldson should not be delayed again.
Below is our weekly roundup of some of those who have been before the courts this week, beginning July 28, 2025.
Look out for:
- Woman who had sex in Belfast church to be re-sentenced after breaching probation
- Man accused of causing teen’s death appears in court
- Woman charged with stalking after writing kidnap fantasies about NI mum
- Man who slashed at public in Belfast city centre with jagged beer can sentenced
- Judge urges no further delays in Jeffrey and Eleanor Donaldson trial
- First person convicted of rioting in Ballymena jailed
- Man accused of being “ringleader” of violent hotel incident refused bail
Woman who had sex in Belfast church to be re-sentenced after breaching probation
A homeless woman who had sex in a Belfast city centre church will be re-sentenced in the New Year for breaching a probation order.
Adrienne Surgenor, 35, of no fixed abode, had previously pleaded guilty to a single charge of committing “a lewd, obscene and disgusting act outraging public decency”. Co-accused Karol Piotr Biernacik, 43, of Loopland Road in east Belfast, also pleaded guilty to the same offence and in May this year they were both ordered to complete a two-year probation order.
Belfast Crown Court heard that around 2.30pm on November 6, 2024, two members of the public were attending St George’s Parish Church in High Street.
16-year-old Jaidyn Rice from the Bangor area.(Image: PSNI)
Man accused of causing teen’s death appears in court
A man has appeared in court charged with causing the death of teenager Jaidyn Rice by dangerous driving.
Jamie McCartney, 30, also faced charges of driving without a licence or insurance during his appearance at Newtownards Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday.
Jaidyn, who was 16, died after being hit by a car on the West Circular Road in Bangor, Co Down, on July 8. McCartney appeared in the dock wearing a grey tracksuit and in handcuffs.
He replied “yes” when asked if he understood the charges. A PSNI officer told the court he could connect the defendant to the charges.
As part of the alleged campaign Hughes obtained images from both the victim and her husband’s Facebook accounts(Image: Getty Images/iStockphoto)
Woman charged with stalking after writing kidnap fantasies about NI mum
A Co Antrim-based author published fantasies about kidnapping a working mother at knifepoint as part of an alleged three-year stalking campaign, a court heard on Tuesday.
Kayleigh Kim Hughes, 28, also described having dreams about the victim being shot and loitering near her home in a compulsion fuelled by envy at her success and family stability, a judge was told.
Police said she had monitored the woman collecting her children and amassed more than 1,000 documents and images as her behaviour intensified.
Details emerged as Hughes, of Brackenbridge Green in Carrickfergus, was remanded into custody charged with a stalking offence on dates between September 14, 2022 and July 26, 2025.
Staff at JD Sports observed the defendant swinging and slashing this towards members of the public
Man who slashed at public in Belfast city centre with jagged beer can sentenced
A man who slashed at shoppers in Belfast city centre with a beer can torn in half to form a sharp-edged weapon has been jailed for six months.
Sean Savage, 34, brandished the adapted tin and declared that he was going to “cut people up”. A judge at Belfast Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday said any witnesses would have been terrified by his actions.
Savage, of Juniper Park in Dunmurry, pleaded guilty to possessing an offensive weapon with intent to commit assault occasioning actual bodily harm, criminal damage and obstructing police.
Prosecutors said he was spotted ripping the beer can in half to produce a sharp edge while in the Royal Avenue area on May 16 this year.
Eleanor Donaldson at a previous court hearing(Image: Liam McBurney/PA Wire)
Judge urges no further delays in Jeffrey and Eleanor Donaldson trial
A judge has stressed that the trial of former DUP leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson and his wife Lady Eleanor Donaldson should not be delayed again.
The couple both face charges relating to alleged historical sex offences. The trial had previously been due to start in March, but was delayed because of Eleanor Donaldson’s ill health.
A new trial date has been set for November 3. The case was mentioned briefly at Belfast Crown Court on Friday morning for an update on an assessment over whether Eleanor Donaldson is currently fit to stand trial.
PSNI riot squad officers form a blockade during riots in Ballymena, June 2025(Image: Getty Images)
First person convicted of rioting in Ballymena jailed
The first person convicted of rioting in Ballymena in June has received a four month prison sentence after pleading guilty in court.
Jamie Lee McCracken, 34, of no fixed abode received the sentence at Ballymena Magistrates’ Court on Thursday after being arrested on Wednesday, June 11, during one night of the disorder on Bridge Street.
He was spotted throwing a brick towards police officers before being arrested minutes later.
Police have said so far 53 people have arrested between the ages of 12 and 56 with 46 being charged.
Laganside Courts in Belfast (Image: Liam McBurney/PA Wire)
Man accused of being “ringleader” of violent hotel incident refused bail
The alleged “ringleader” of a violent incident in the foyer of Armagh City Hotel was refused bail on Friday.
The application to release 35-year old Kevin Grimley, from Crossmore Gardens in Keady, was heard at Belfast Crown Court.
Telling Judge Paul Ramsey that Grimley was not deemed as a suitable candidate for bail, prosecuting barrister Fiona O’Kane said his release was being “vociferously objected to” by the Crown.
Setting out the background to the five charges faced by Grimley – which include attempted grievous bodily harm with intent and assault occasioning actual bodily harm – Ms O’Kane said they arose from a “massively aggressive violent affray”.
For all the latest news, visit the Belfast Live homepage here and sign up to our daily newsletter here.