'Liberty at risk' - judge hands out warning

DIstrict Judge Des Perry was speaking to Aiden Dunn as he deferred sentence for three months on the defendant at Ballymena Magistrates Court.

Dunn (29), of Cushendall Road, admitted the theft of a DKNY perfume gift set from a shop in Ballymena on December 16.

Solicitor John McAtamney said Dunn had been “dabbling with drugs” at the time but is not taking any substances now.

Noting that Dunn had received a caution for a similar offence in November, the judge added: “Clearly the caution didn’t register at all.”