Man in court charged with armed robberies in Lisburn

A man has appeared in court charged with carrying out three armed robberies in Lisburn in less than 24 hours.

Brian Matthew McKibben, 28, from Tonagh Gardens in the city, is accused of stealing cash and cigarettes from a woman in the Old Warren area last Wednesday.

It was also alleged that he robbed a takeaway restaurant at knifepoint on Thursday before stealing cash from a service station two hours later.

He was remanded in custody.

Lisburn Magistrates' Court heard that he stole £70 from the Chinese takeaway and an undisclosed sum of cash from a till the service station in Lagan Valley.

A PSNI detective constable told the court he believed he could connect Mr McKibben to each of the charges.

It was alleged that when he was cautioned for each offence, he told officers: "I'm sorry, I'm very sorry, I'm very, very sorry".

No bail application was lodged and he was remanded to appear again on 28 May.

Police investigating the robberies have arrested a second 28-year-old man and he is currently helping them with their inquiries.