Former UUP chief faces theft charges

A former Ulster Unionist Party chief executive once stole £230 (€333) from the Northern Ireland Electoral Office, a court heard today.

Alastair Patterson, an ex-returning officer, also forged electoral receipts, it was alleged.

Mr Patterson, 58, was the official who declared the result when IRA hunger striker Bobby Sands was elected MP for Fermanagh, South Tyrone in 1981.

But at Omagh Magistrates Court today he faced a total of 30 charges of theft and false accounting.

The one-time senior UUP member, of Parkanaur Road, Castlecaulfield, near Dungannon, Co Tyrone spoke only to confirm his name.

Dressed in a dark suit and navy overcoat he listened as a detective sergeant told the court that when accused of the offences in October this year Mr Patterson replied: “No answer” to each charge.

The court heard that in December 2000 he allegedly stole £230 (€333) in cash belonging to the Electoral Office of Northern Ireland. Between May 1998 and January 2001 he carried out another 16 similar counts of theft, it was claimed.

In December 2000 he also allegedly falsified Electoral Office receipts, the court was told. Another 12 similar offences of falsifying documents between June 1998 and June 1999 have been made against him.

Patterson, who resigned as Ulster Unionist chief executive after first being questioned by police in July was supported by his wife in the public gallery.

His solicitor told the court: “Whilst there are a number of charges against Mr Patterson the sums involved are modest. He has made full restoration in relation to the sums involved.”

He added: “There is no issue about the integrity of the election process.”

Patterson was remanded to appear again on December 23.