Four cleared of crane cab damage

The group climbed the 200 ft crane in Belfast city centre in January

Three men and a youth who climbed a 200 ft crane at a building site in Belfast city centre have been cleared of causing criminal damage.

The cab of the crane was damaged and cost £6,000 to repair.

Defence lawyers argued the police did not preserve the crime scene and so could not prove who caused the damage.

One of the men cleared, 20-year-old Graham Garrett of Bristol Park in Newtownards, said: "I'm glad I got that result, they had nothing on us."

The other men charged were Patrick Nalty, 24, of Centenary House in Victoria Street, Belfast, and Darren Sloan, 19, from Newtownards Road in the east of the city.

A 17-year-old youth had also faced the charge.

The four were also cleared of obstructing police.