Boy, 14, tried to buy sub-machine gun on the dark web, court hears

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Image caption The 14-year-old appeared in Ballymena Magistrates" Court

A 14-year-old boy has appeared in court in Northern Ireland accused of trying to buy a sub-machine gun and 100 rounds of ammunition from the dark web.

The boy appeared in Ballymena Magistrates" Court in County Antrim.

He is charged with attempting to possess a firearm and ammunition with intent to endanger life.

A police officer told the court that she believed the boy"s intention was to intimidate another person using the weapon.

He was arrested at a retail park in Coleraine, County Londonderry on Thursday.

A police officer said the boy was detained when he met an "operative" at the retail park.

The court heard that the accused tried to give the operative 150 to pay for the ammunition and that he believed he could further purchase the gun.

It also heard that the defendant told the operative that "his intention was to intimidate a third party".

Image copyright Google Image caption Police said the boy was arrested at Riverside Retail Park in Coleraine on Thursday

The police officer told the court that during an interview with police, the boy provided a pre-prepared statement naming a Jamaican man who he said had asked him to collect blank ammunition and a deactivated gun.

The officer said the accused told police he was to collect the deactivated gun in a few days.

She added: "It was in fact a live gun and ammunition."

The officer said the police opposed bail and alleged the defendant"s only reason for purchasing the gun was to cause serious injury.

She said: "The account provided was somewhat unbelievable.

"He provided an account that he was purchasing a gun for a male that was a Jamaican national living in Northern Ireland who he was friendly with on Facebook."

She said none of his friends on Facebook matched the name given for the 40-year-old friend.

The officer said if the child was released he could destroy evidence by deleting any conversations he may have had online.

However, the accused"s lawyer said there was no evidence presented to support what his client"s intent was and described the police"s assertions as "guesswork".

The judge released the defendant on bail of 500 with conditions that he stays at home overnight and does not possess a mobile phone or any other internet-enabled device.

He was also warned that he could spend months in a juvenile justice centre awaiting trial if he broke any of the conditions.

The 14-year-old is due to appear in court again on 25 April.

Source: http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-northern-ireland-39538330

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London attack: American Kurt Cochran, from Utah, killed

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Image copyright Facebook Image caption Kurt Cochran died after the attack on Westminster Bridge

An American man has been named as one of the victims of Wednesday"s deadly attack in London,

Kurt Cochran, 54 and from Utah, died in the attack and his wife Melissa was seriously hurt, their family has said.

They were celebrating a 25th wedding anniversary and also visiting Melissa"s parents, who work on a Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints mission.

They were struck when the attacker drove a car over Westminster Bridge, near the Houses of Parliament.

So-called Islamic State has said it was behind the attack, which left four people dead, including the attacker. Eight people have so far been arrested.

President Donald Trump tweeted: "A great American, Kurt Cochran, was killed in the London terror attack. My prayers and condolences are with his family and friends."

In a statement released by the church, Clint Payne, Melissa"s brother and Kurt"s brother-in-law, said the family was "heartbroken"

Image copyright Facebook Image caption Mrs Cochran (pictured with her husband) has a broken leg, a broken rib and a cut on her head, her sister said Image caption The couple were celebrating their 25th wedding anniversary with a European trip

"Kurt was a good man and a loving husband to our sister and daughter, Melissa," continued the statement.

"They were in Europe to celebrate their 25th wedding anniversary, and were scheduled to return to the United States on Thursday.

"Melissa also received serious injuries in the attack, and is being cared for in the hospital.

"We express our gratitude to the emergency and medical personnel who have cared for them and ask for your prayers on behalf of Melissa and our family.

"Kurt will be greatly missed, and we ask for privacy as our family mourns and as Melissa recovers from her injuries."

Mr Cochran owned a sound recording studio in Utah called the Onion Street Studio.

Image copyright Facebook Image caption The Cochrans" family paid tribute to them

His LinkedIn page lists him as an engineer involved in tracking, mixing and editing, and highlights his voluntary involvement in a benefit concert called Until the Violence Stops.

In an interview with a local website in 2014, he says he grew up in Maryland and lived in Texas before moving to Salt Lake City in 1983.

He says he got his first guitar at seven but "didn"t have much natural talent". He played in a band for a few years before deciding to build the studio.

A GoFundMe page administered by Mrs Cochran"s brother to help cover her expenses, says the couple built the studio business from the ground up over the past decade.

Melissa Cochran"s sister, Sara Payne-Mcfarland, wrote on Facebook: "My sister, Melissa, has a broken leg, a broken rib, and a cut on her head.

"While we are glad she survived, our hearts are broken and will never be the same after losing our dear uncle, brother-in-law, father. Kurt, you are a HERO, and we will never forget you."

Media captionWitnesses describe how the attack near the Houses of Parliament unfolded

The other victims of the attack have been named as police officer Keith Palmer and Aysha Frade, who worked at a London college.

The attacker was British-born and known to the police and intelligence services. He has been named as Khalid Masood, 52.

Leaders of countries affected by recent terror attacks, including France and Germany voiced solidarity with the UK after the attack.

Mr Trump also spoke by phone to Theresa May to offer his condolences and to praise the effective response of UK security services.

On Twitter, former President Barack Obama wrote: "My heart goes out to the victims and their families in London. No act of terror can shake the strength and resilience of our British ally."

Source: http://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-39370325

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