9th July 2010


Padrig Boyle, 39, of Newcastle was brought before the wizengamot today and sentenced to 4 years in Azkaban for the creation and sale of cursed protection charms.

Boyle reportedly sold up to 300 cursed protection charms to unwitting consumers from a market stalls in Diagon Alley, Oulton Broad, Hogsmeade and Slandermouth. He was uncovered when those who purchased the charms reported burns and other painful maladies from wearing them.

Hitwizard Michael Dribbleby was deployed to apprehend Boyle earlier this week at an associate's residence in Butteryhaugh just off the Scottish border. Boyle attempted to flee, and Dribbleby's attempts to side-along apparate resulted in splinching the hitwizard's arm.

Backup came swiftly from Auror Warrington who took over the pursuit of Boyle through Kielder forest for half a mile. The pair were witnessed by isolated picnicking Muggles, later obliviated by the Department of Magical Accidents and Catastrophes.

Boyle attempted to apparate to his home territory of Newcastle, but unlike Dribbleby, Warrington apprehended him at the point of apparition and arrested the Irish Warlock on arrival, stunning him efficiently.

Eyewitnesses at St Mungo's hospital report that Auror Warrington arrived with Boyle and Hitwizard Dribbleby unconscious, one under each arm, hardly out of breath. He was highly commended by the wizengamot for his quick reactions in both arresting Boyle and saving his colleague's life.

"If it were not for the quick actions of Warrington, we would have had a far greater issues on our hands." Wizengamot Elder, Edwin Glass commented. (Glass later clarified his comments were in relation to curtailing the statute breached related to Dribbleby's bungled attempts.)

Dribbleby is reported to be recovering well, reunited with his arm.