Crown drops Larne takeaway robbery charges

A Larne man has had three charges of robbing a takeaway in the town and a fourth charge of carrying a firearm or imitation firearm to commit an offence withdrawn.

Jamie McCombe (20), from the Craigyhill area, was charged with robbing the Hillstop chip shop on three occasions last year and that on two of the dates in January 2016 he had a firearm or imitation firearm with him.

However, when he appeared at Ballymena Magistrates Court on Thursday via video link from Hydebank prison the four charges were withdrawn.

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Only one charge remained, possession of cannabis in October last year, and he has pleaded guilty to that.

A prosecutor said five cannabis joints were found and the defendant made full admissions.

Defence barrister Alan Stewart said McCombe was granted bail in October but it was not ‘perfected’ until December.

But whilst on bail he committed further offences and his bail was revoked before he was jailed for two months in February.

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Mr. Stewart said McCombe has a “significant history” regarding his mental health but he said a very positive report had been prepared on the defendant regarding his time in prison.

McCombe was jailed for two months on the drugs offence but has already served the equivalent time.

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