Police have welcomed the conviction of a 25-year-old man for burglary and a string of other offences in the Armagh and Caledon areas during 2010.
John Paul Ward entered a guilty plea to charges of burglary, theft, common assault, going equipped and obstructing police for offences at Newry Crown Court on Friday.
Ward and another man were arrested at the time of the offences in South Armagh, however after being released on high court bail in 2010 he absconded into the Republic of Ireland.
Ward was re-arrested in England on 1 November, 2014, and brought back to Northern Ireland by PSNI Detectives to answer outstanding charges.
At court, Ward was sentenced to two years imprisonment suspended for three years and six months imprisonment suspended for three years, to run concurrently.
Detective Inspector Graham said: “This case has been a prolonged process due to the absconding of Ward.
“We hope this conviction and sentence sends a clear message to criminals that the border does not provide an escape from police investigations or the criminal justice process.”
Read more news:
County Armagh man forced to pay back £20k of benefits or face jail time
Armagh pharmacist sentenced to 12 months behind bars
68-year-old woman robbed in hospital car park
Armagh and Newry General Election: Who will you vote for?
Football fans blamed for attack on Portadown bar
