A PENSIONER who gave his estranged wife a poisoned chalice in a misguided attempt to woo her has escaped jail.

Prisoners jailed on the strength of a DNA testing technique that is now under review could turn to the appeal courts in a bid to have their convictions quashed, an expert said today.

US stocks ended a lacklustre week with a moderate decline today as higher oil prices weighed on investors’ already rickety sentiment and Treasuries rallied amid concerns about a meltdown in the subprime mortgage market.

Barrow defender James Cotterill was sentenced to four months in prison today for breaking a rival player’s jaw during an FA Cup match.

Two staff from an Outback petrol station today told a court they believe they saw British backpacker Peter Falconio days after police said he was murdered by a lone gunman 930 miles away.

First up in basketball this weekend is National Cup action when UCC Demons take on local rivals Neptune in a backyard brawl at the Mardyke Arena in Cork on Friday night to determine which team advances through the knockout stages.

LIMERICK Lions hammered out a sensational 94-83 victory over UCC Demons as defending champions Abrakebabra Tigers kept their title hopes intact with a two point victory over Merry Monk Ballina when the SuperLeague Men’s National Cup got underway at the weekend.

A SERVICE station worker has told a court he personally served missing British backpacker Peter Falconio a week after the traveller was allegedly murdered in the Australian Outback.

A MAN who has served 25 years behind bars protesting he was the victim of police corruption could be in line for a compensation payment running into millions after the Court of Appeal yesterday overturned his murder conviction.

A haulier who abandoned a £2.5m consignment of cannabis from Holland, at a warehouse here, is being jailed for 7-and-a-half years.