Man charged with murder of wife’s cousin

Initially 39-year-old Timothy Walker was charged with the attempted murder of Denis Shearer but on Wednesday at Newtownards Magistrates Court, a prosecuting lawyer asked for the indictment to be amended following the death of the 25-year-old.

Although Walker did not appear in court, the father-of-two is now formally charged with the murder of Mr Shearer on March 9 this year.

Walker, from Abbey Ring in Holywood, is also charged with aggravated burglary, armed with a “blunt instrument,” at a property on the Fernmore Road in Bangor on February 28 this year.

Mr Shearer died in the Royal Victoria Hospital. Last week a court heard that he is a cousin of Walker’s wife.

Despite police objections, Walker was granted bail.

Defence solicitor Patrick Higgins said that while the PPS had intended to appeal, they failed to lodge the necessary papers within the time limits.

Granting continuing bail, District Judge Mark Hamill removed the attempted murder charge and replaced it with murder, adjourning the case to April 7.