Man with criminal record denied bail for mother's funeral

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 30 Oct, 13:33 · Archive

A 58-year-old man with an 'appalling' criminal record was refused bail to attend his mother's funeral at Belfast Crown Court. Judge Natalie Pinkerton rejected a compassionate bail application, stating that Craig had previously 'squandered' an opportunity when granted bail in April, absconding for four weeks before being returned to custody.

Kenny Craig, from Grahams Bridge Manor in Dundonald, is awaiting arraignment on charges of handling stolen goods and converting criminal property scheduled for 22 August 2025. The Crown alleges that on 16 August last year, a home in east Belfast was burgled, with jewellery and cash stolen, including cufflinks valued between £5,000 and £6,000. Eight days later, the prosecution claims Craig sold a pair of silver cufflinks to a watch shop in Newtownards. The shop owner subsequently advertised them on eBay, where the householder whose home was burgled recognised and reported them to police.

Craig was arrested on 29 August and has denied involvement in the burglary, claiming a relative gave him the items and he believed they were not stolen before selling them to the watch shop.

How it is being reported

• Man with 'appalling' record refused bail to attend his mother's funeralThe Judge added that after the court took a "compassionate view" regarding his mother's ailments by granting him bail in April, he "squandered that opportunity".Belfast Live · 30 Oct, 13:08
• Judge cites ‘appalling’ record as man denied bail to attend mother’s funeralBelfast Telegraph · 30 Oct, 12:44

In this story: Kenny Craig · Judge Natalie Pinkerton · Belfast Crown Court · Dundonald · East Belfast · Newtownards

This summary was written by AI from the headlines and standfirsts above, and states as fact only what at least two outlets report. How we use AI · Report a problem · Corrections log