Portadown riot suspects charged

Craigavon Magistrates Court yesterday heard a number of charges arising from recent rioting in Portadown, Co Armagh

Craigavon Magistrates Court yesterday heard a number of charges arising from recent rioting in Portadown, Co Armagh. Mr Rodney Leiper (28), Fitzroy Street, Portadown, was charged with throwing a petrol bomb last Saturday.

An RUC sergeant told the court that when arrested, charged and cautioned, Mr Leiper said: "I threw stones but I didn't throw any petrol bombs." He was remanded in custody to a magistrates court sitting on September 23rd.

Leslie Thomas Wilson Boyd (24), machine operator, pleaded guilty to possessing 350 ballbearings and part of a catapult in Portadown on July 12th. A sentence of six months' imprisonment, suspended for two years, was imposed. Charged with possessing a baton in Portadown on July 12th, Robert James Gaston (18), student, was given a conditional discharge.