PSNI bomb attack accused takes his own life

The body of Shrewsbury man Stuart Downes was discovered in dense woodland in his home town last Friday.

Mr Downes, 31, was due to stand trial on terrorist-related charges alongside co-accused, north Belfast woman Christine Connor, following a pipe bomb attack on the PSNI in May 2013.

He had denied a number of charges including conspiring to murder a police officer.

Officers were responding to a 999 call in the Ballysillan area of the city when two pipe bombs were thrown at them.

Mr Downes spent a period on remand in HMP Maghaberry before he was released on bail. However, a bench warrant for his arrest was issued in Belfast Crown Court last Thursday after the authorities in England failed to locate him.

The warrant was issued following the launch of a missing person appeal last week by West Mercia Police. However, the appeal was called off last Friday after a man’s body was found in woodland near to the A5 in Shrewsbury.

Following the discovery, police later confirmed the remains were those of Mr Downes. They also confirmed that his death was not being treated as suspicious.

Ms Connor will now face trial at Belfast Crown Court on her own.