Contrary to an earlier eyewitness report, someone who works at the Sim-Son Convenience Store has told our reporter Charlotte that he believes the incident took place at another address nearby or outside.

He said that the incident did not take place inside the shop and that they are waiting to reopen.

Footage showed the defendant helping a crowd to push over a black Vauxhall Astra car before it was set alight

A rioter cried in the dock today as he was handed a 27-month sentence for what a judge said was his “full and active part in burning two cars” during public disorder.

Reece Dunnett, 25, of Vorlich Way, Dunfermline in Scotland, had previously pleaded guilty to one charge of rioting and two counts of criminal damage by destroying two cars.

Belfast Crown Court heard rioting erupted across Belfast in August 2024 in reaction to the events in Southport, Liverpool, when three young children were stabbed to death at a Taylor Swift dance-themed workshop.

Prosecution barrister Mark O’Hara played CCTV footage to the court of public disorder which broke out in the Sandy Row/Donegall Road area in south Belfast on August 3, 2024.

He told Judge Gordon Kerr KC that Dunnett was identified from the footage dressed in black shorts and a blue hoodie top with his face concealed.

The footage showed the defendant helping a crowd to push over a black Vauxhall Astra car before it was set alight. Mr O’Hara said Dunnett played a similar role in an attack on a white Suzuki Alto car which was destroyed by fire.

The prosecutor said that during an interview with a probation officer, Dunnett tried to minimise his role, saying he was not involved in causing damage to the cars

Defence barrister Michael Boyd described the rioting as “outrageous”.

“We all saw the footage at the time on the news. What he has pleaded guilty to has clearly crossed the custody threshold,” said Mr Boyd.

“He has accepted his guilt and has accepted his responsibility notwithstanding the silly comments he made to the probation officer.”

He added that Dunnett was working in Northern Ireland at the time of the rioting and got “caught up” in events.

“He has expressed genuine remorse and shame for his offending which has been reflected in the pre-sentence report,” added Mr Boyd.

He described Dunnett’s behaviour on the evening of August 3 as “opportunistic, impulsive and reactive”.

Judge Kerr said Dunnett had been at the scene of public disorder for around two-and-half-hours and played a “full and active part in burning two cars”.

He added: “We have seen on the video some of the activity involved in this case.

“This behaviour took place in August 2024 and there were multiple incidents throughout Belfast in response to events in Southport, Liverpool and Belfast was not the only place affected by this type of behaviour.”’

Judge Kerr said that the prosecution had outlined the expense in terms of police time, resources and damage that was caused throughout the city and that must be considered in the course of sentencing in these types of cases.

“The upshot is that deterrent sentencing is absolutely necessary to make it clear to people that widespread public disorder causing disruption to society, causing damage and injury to police officers, members of the security forces and fire service personnel will not be tolerated,” said Judge Kerr.

“The only way to deal with such persons is by immediate custodial sentences.”

Handing down the 27-month sentence, divided equally between custody and supervised licence, Judge Kerr said it would be up to Dunnett to decide if he wanted to apply to the prison authorities to serve part of his sentence in Scotland “in ease of his family”.

Dunnett started crying in the dock as the sentence was imposed before he was led away in handcuffs by prison staff.

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Start now and you could have red-breasted visitors right through winter

If you’re dreaming of a robin popping into your garden like a living Christmas card, the key is to start before winter comes. By putting out the right food and water through early autumn and keeping it up every day, you can teach these red-breasted birds that your garden is a reliable destination.

Wildlife advice says consistency matters most because robins return to places that keep meeting their needs when natural pickings drop. Begin in September and keep going through October and November, and you’ve got a better chance of seeing the same bird come back to eat, drink and maybe even settle nearby, when Christmas arrives.

What should you offer?

The three strongest crowd-pleasers are mealworms (live or dried), suet pellets or balls, and sunflower hearts. Extras like crushed unsalted peanuts and soft fruit (berries, raisins or chopped apple) are also proving popular.

How you present the food is just as important as robins prefer to feed close to the ground rather than from hanging feeders, according to the RSPB. A low or sheltered bird feeder suits them far better, ideally positioned somewhere that predators like cats cannot easily approach undetected, reports the Mirror.

A garden that offers ‘real’ foraging opportunities can be even more tempting than a feeder alone. Leaving a couple of wilder corners encourages worms and beetles, giving robins the kind of hunting they’re built for.

Don’t pile food out like a buffet. Put down only what will be eaten within a day, then reduce the amount if leftovers remain and clear anything that could attract pests.

Water is just as important as snacks once the cold sets in. A clean birdbath topped up regularly helps with drinking and bathing, and some people use a heated option to stop it from freezing solid.

A crucial cleaning component for this task is white vinegar, which most households already stock in their cupboards. The white vinegar approach works perfectly for monthly or seasonal thorough cleans, particularly when dealing with stubborn algae or high bird activity.

If you want more than a quick flying visit, add a nesting option so they’ll consider making your garden their home as well. An open-fronted bird box near ivy or climbing plants can provide cover and a safer place to settle.

One warning before you roll out the welcome mat: robins may look cute, but they can be fiercely territorial. That means a confident newcomer might chase off other birds once it decides the garden is “theirs”.

Don’t expect instant trust on day one. Keep the routine steady, give them space, and over time, you may find a robin following you around while you garden, hoovering up insects you turn up from the soil.

The company’s plans to relocate last year ‘fell through’ as it was ‘no longer affordable’ for them

A landmark Cambridge business has been sold more than a year after its plans to relocate “fell through”. Marshalls Aerospace, based at Cambridge Airport, had announced plans to relocate to Cranfield University’s base in Bedford.

However, the company announced last year that these plans “fell through” as it was “no longer affordable”. Marshalls has now confirmed the company has been sold to the Aurelius Group.

A Marshalls Aerospace spokesperson said: “Marshalls has been going through a wider, deliberate transition as a group, with a longstanding plan that Marshall Aerospace would relocate from the Cambridge Airport site.

“We’ve been exploring options to secure the best possible long-term future for the Aerospace business, with a focus on ensuring a stable and sustainable future for its people and operations.

“The group has now entered into an agreement to sell Marshall Aerospace, in its entirety, to Aurelius Group. Aurelius is well positioned to support the aerospace business through its next stage of development.

“The acquisition is now subject to UK government review under the terms of the National Security and Investment Act, which is currently underway. Final Marshall Group shareholder approval and Austrian antitrust approval are also necessary.”

Marshalls expects the transaction to be completed by late September.