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| Version 2 | Version 3 |
|---|---|
| Former mayor attacks photographer | Former mayor attacks photographer |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| A former DUP mayor of Coleraine has attacked a press photographer outside a courthouse in County Antrim. | A former DUP mayor of Coleraine has attacked a press photographer outside a courthouse in County Antrim. |
| Dessie Stewart admitted electoral fraud during the 2005 elections and is to be sentenced at Antrim Crown Court. | Dessie Stewart admitted electoral fraud during the 2005 elections and is to be sentenced at Antrim Crown Court. |
| When Stewart arrived at the court he threw a punch at a Press Association photographer. | When Stewart arrived at the court he threw a punch at a Press Association photographer. |
| BBC political correspondent Gareth Gordon was outside the court and said Stewart attacked the photographer "without warning". | BBC political correspondent Gareth Gordon was outside the court and said Stewart attacked the photographer "without warning". |
| "Luckily he managed to turn his head on time and the blow struck him on the back of his neck," he said. | "Luckily he managed to turn his head on time and the blow struck him on the back of his neck," he said. |
| He said there was some pushing and Stewart then went into the court. | He said there was some pushing and Stewart then went into the court. |
| He added that the photographer had reported the incident to the police. | He added that the photographer had reported the incident to the police. |
| Police have said they are investigating the incident. | |
| "Police in Antrim are investigating allegations of an assault," a statement said. | |
| Stewart, who has already resigned from Coleraine Council, has also left the DUP. | |
| In September, Stewart admitted four counts of pretending to be someone else in order to cast postal votes, and two of fraudulently stopping free exercise of a proxy vote. | In September, Stewart admitted four counts of pretending to be someone else in order to cast postal votes, and two of fraudulently stopping free exercise of a proxy vote. |
| The case was adjourned then for pre-sentence reports. | The case was adjourned then for pre-sentence reports. |
| However, at Antrim court on Tuesday, sentencing was put back until 17 November because of what the judge said were outstanding factual issues which needed to be resolved. | However, at Antrim court on Tuesday, sentencing was put back until 17 November because of what the judge said were outstanding factual issues which needed to be resolved. |
| The charges against Stewart relate to the last general and local government elections, which were held on the same day in May 2005. | The charges against Stewart relate to the last general and local government elections, which were held on the same day in May 2005. |
| A councillor since 1989, Stewart was re-elected to council with 773 votes in The Skerries area which includes his home town of Portrush. | A councillor since 1989, Stewart was re-elected to council with 773 votes in The Skerries area which includes his home town of Portrush. |