The end of automatic 50% remission for offenders in Northern Ireland has come to an end.
Along with this move, tougher new sentences have now been brought into force by Criminal Justice Minister, Paul Goggins.
Under the new legislation, anyone who commits a serious sexual or violent crime could be kept in prison indefinitely.
Also included in these moves, a new body of Parole Commissioners will be created to assess prisoners as regards the risk they pose to the public. What this means is that anyone convicted of a crime that carries a sentence of 10 years or more will have to serve their full sentence. They will then have to apply to the new parole body.
Criminal Justice Minister Paul Goggins commented: "Protecting the public remains my top priority", he stated, " and this legislation gives the criminal justice system new tools to make Northern Ireland safer".
£4,500 for waste offences
John McVitty (73) of Drumany, Lisnaskea, has been fined a total of £4,500 for waste offences.
He pleaded guilty to three charges of breaching waste management legislation at Enniskillen Magistrates' court.
The court heard how on the 25 July 2005, Environment and Heritage Service (EHS) officers investigated complaints of construction and demolition waste dumped at Rossmacaffrey. They found a deposit of 400 tonnes of concrete, road planing, and kerbing.
On a return visit on 24 May 2006 the officers noted that the waste remained untouched.
McVitty pleaded guilty to three charges and was fined £1,000 for keeping the waste on 25 July 2005, £2,000 for treating the waste (crushing and flattening it) and £1,500 for keeping the waste on 24 May 2006, a total of £ 4,500 plus court costs of £10.
Points for careless driving
A 21-year-old beautician from Ballinamallard has been fined £75 and has had three penalty points endorsed on her licence for careless driving following a recent sitting of Fermanagh Magistrate's Court.
The Court heard how on Tuesday, 5th June last year, police were called to the scene of a two vehicle road traffic collision on the Kilskerry Road, Ballinamallard. The defendant, Paula Owens from Saloon Road was driving in the direction of Trillick at the time in question. She lost control of her vehicle and hit the oncoming car. A witness in the other vehicle said the defendant appeared to be approaching the wrong side of the road forcing them to near the grass verge to avoid the vehicle but the collision occurred. A 10-year-old male passenger in the other vehicle was treated for shock but was not injured. Indeed, the only person to sustain injury was Owens herself, who suffered minor injuries to the leg.
Defending, Garry Smyth asked the Magistrate to consider Owens early plea. He submitted that she was a 21-year-old self-employed beautician whose licence was essential to her career. On the day in question he said, it had been raining and road conditions were slippy. His client he said accepted full culpability. She was fully insured at the time and has since had to replace her own vehicle.
Mr Murphy said he would consider her clear record and early plea.
For the offence he imposed a £75 fine and three penalty points.
