Man given community service after cheque for £500 bounced

William Robert Brown, Westacres, Craigavon, admitted writing a Bank of Ireland cheque for £580 knowing the account had been closed.

The court heard that on June 26 last year Brown wrote a cheque for auto parts but it was returned unpaid.

When interviewed Brown said he expected money to be in the account and was not aware it was closed because he did not open correspondence. The account had been closed on February 4, 2014.

A defence barrister said he had lodged money with his solicitor to cover the amount.

She explained that Brown had been owed money by a man in the south of Ireland and he expected this to be paid into his account.

She added that he had contacted the injured party to say that his cheque would not be honoured but she had already gone to the police. He had borrowed the money from his mother.

District Judge, Mr Mervyn Bates also made a compensation order for £580.