Men cleared of attempted murder

Three County Londonderry men have been cleared of the attempted murder of a schoolgirl.

Charlene Daly, 11, was shot in the back during a gun attack on her Coleraine home in August 2000.

John Thomas Hazlett, 31, from Alexander Road, Limavady; Darren Edward Clarke 21, from Loughanhill Park, Coleraine; and Thomas George Dunbar, 37 from Ballygalin Park Coleraine appeared before Belfast Crown Court on Friday.

However, Mr Hazlett and Mr Clarke were both convicted of possessing the 9mm submachine gun and 30 bullets used in the shooting.

Dunbar was cleared of all charges.

Lord Justice Nicholson said he felt it was highly probable that he had been the gunman, but on the evidence he was unable to be sure.

Hazlett and Clarke will be sentenced in September after pre-sentence reports have been prepared.