DJ failed to turn up

Rogue trader Michael Stockman, 30, who took £800 from six customers before their ceremonies or parties, failed to turn up - often texting his unwitting victims in Northern Ireland at short notice.

He will be sentenced in September after a request by prosecutors.

His lawyer Francis Rafferty told North Antrim Magistrates’ Court today (Thursday): “I have been advised by the prosecution that in fact there are summonses to be served in relation to identical matters.

“They are making an application to take this matter to September 5 in order that the matters can be sentenced together.”

District judge Paul Copeland agreed to the delay.

Stockman, slightly built and wearing a tracksuit, did not speak during the brief hearing. His excuse for cancelling on four different occasions between the start of August 2012 and end of September that year was that his father had died the previous day or morning, Stormont’s Trading Standards Service has said. The businessman, based at Knockantern Green in Coleraine traded as North West Discos and was found guilty of nine theft offences earlier this year.