Man to stand trial accused of stealing livestock

A Co Armagh man is to stand trial accused of stealing farm livestock and having bullets after he denied the offences on Tuesday.
By The Newsroom
Published 19th Apr 2016, 18:44 BST
Updated 19th Apr 2016, 19:45 BST
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Standing in the dock of Newry Crown Court, 20-year-old Christopher Potts pleaded not guilty to a total of 11 offences including two of having criminal property, the theft of 38 ewes, possessing 200 rounds of .22 ammunition, converting criminal property namely six lambs, five counts of handling stolen goods and possessing ear tags for a purpose connected to fraud.

The handling charges allege that Potts, from Pineview Court in Gilford, “dishonestly undertook or assisted in the retention, removal, disposal or realisation of certain stolen goods” in relation to two goats, seven lambs, 12 ewes, a purse, keys and a bank card, with all the offences alleged to have occurred on various dates between December 11, 2014 and January 15, 2015.

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The alleged thief pleaded guilty to one count in that he possessed criminal property on December 17, 2014.

The charges relate to a number of incidents in Gilford, Loughbrickland and Poyntzpass.

A prosecuting lawyer told the court the trial had been set for June 8 and would last around a week.

Potts was freed on continuing bail until then.