Four on armed robbery charges

Four men have appeared in court in connection with three armed robberies at shops across Belfast on Christmas Eve.

Mark Elwood, 22, from Crumlin Road; Alan Bushby, 18, of Lavens Drive; William Anderson, 18, of Silverstream Avenue, and Dean Nesbitt, 23, of Monton Court, all in Belfast, appeared at the city's Magistrates' Court on Friday.

They were charged with the armed robbery of convenience stores in University Avenue and Oldpark Road in Belfast, and in Carryduff, County Down.

All four were also charged with possessing a Valtro pistol with intent to endanger life.

Mr Nesbitt faced an additional charge of causing grievous bodily harm to a police officer after the four defendants were arrested at Ligoniel in north Belfast on Wednesday.

The court heard cash, cigarettes and phone cards valued at a total of £11,650 were taken in the robberies.

A detective told the court that when Mr Nesbitt replied "not guilty" to the charges; Mr Bushby made no reply; Mr Anderson denied the charges, and Mr Elwood said "it wasn't me".

All four were remanded in custody until 23 January.