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20/05/2011
DNA Evidence Catches Rogue RUC Inspector
A former police inspector has been successfully prosecuted for murder after advances in forensic science meant investigating officers were able to match his DNA with that found under the fingernails of the dead pensioner.
Annabella Symington was found dead at her south Belfast home and now, Kenneth Mark McConnell, 59, from Prospect Downs, Carrickfergus, who was a gambling addict, has been jailed for 18 years after he killed Annabella Symington in 1989.
Mrs Symington, 77, a widow living on her own in Willesden Park in south Belfast, was found dead on her dining room floor.
McConnell eventually admitted that through having an affair with her niece Margaret Fleming, he had discovered that she was rich and had gone to her house to beg for money to cover gambling debts.
However, the pensioner told him he was being "impertinent" by asking for cash and a struggle ensued, during which McConnell stuffed her cardigan sleeve into her mouth to stop her from screaming and it was this which suffocated her.
Mr Justice Hart said it had been a "brutal murder of an elderly lady who had quite properly refused to provide him with the means to continue to fund his addiction".
(BMcC/GK)
Annabella Symington was found dead at her south Belfast home and now, Kenneth Mark McConnell, 59, from Prospect Downs, Carrickfergus, who was a gambling addict, has been jailed for 18 years after he killed Annabella Symington in 1989.
Mrs Symington, 77, a widow living on her own in Willesden Park in south Belfast, was found dead on her dining room floor.
McConnell eventually admitted that through having an affair with her niece Margaret Fleming, he had discovered that she was rich and had gone to her house to beg for money to cover gambling debts.
However, the pensioner told him he was being "impertinent" by asking for cash and a struggle ensued, during which McConnell stuffed her cardigan sleeve into her mouth to stop her from screaming and it was this which suffocated her.
Mr Justice Hart said it had been a "brutal murder of an elderly lady who had quite properly refused to provide him with the means to continue to fund his addiction".
(BMcC/GK)
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A man found dead in Banbridge, Co Down, has been named as Richard Gerard Scullion. A murder investigation has launched after his body was found at a house in the Millmount court area on Monday, 09 July. A 28-year-old man arrested on Monday remains in police custody after the PSNI were granted an extension.
18 December 2003
Discovery of man's body not 'suspicious'
A man found dead close to Belfast city centre on Wednesday has been named as Hugh Thompson of Lord Street in east Belfast. The 57-year-old man's body was discovered at Fulton Street shortly before 9am. Although the area was immediately cordoned off by police, the death is not being treated as suspicious.
Discovery of man's body not 'suspicious'
A man found dead close to Belfast city centre on Wednesday has been named as Hugh Thompson of Lord Street in east Belfast. The 57-year-old man's body was discovered at Fulton Street shortly before 9am. Although the area was immediately cordoned off by police, the death is not being treated as suspicious.
15 March 2019
Murder Probe After Man Found Dead In East Belfast
Police have launched a murder investigation after the death of a man at a house in east Belfast. It happened in the Kyle Street area in the early hours of this morning, Friday 15 March. Two men have been arrested and remain in custody. Police remain at the scene as detectives from the Major Investigation Team investigate.
Murder Probe After Man Found Dead In East Belfast
Police have launched a murder investigation after the death of a man at a house in east Belfast. It happened in the Kyle Street area in the early hours of this morning, Friday 15 March. Two men have been arrested and remain in custody. Police remain at the scene as detectives from the Major Investigation Team investigate.
09 April 2002
Belfast man admits to the murder of Maria McConnell
A 21-year-old man has pleaded guilty to the murder of a young woman in Belfast two years ago. Conor McCrory of Grangeville Gardens in Finaghy, South Belfast asked for the murder charge to be put to him when he appeared at Belfast Crown Court on Monday April 8. He then changed his plea to one of guilty of the murder of Maria McConnell.
Belfast man admits to the murder of Maria McConnell
A 21-year-old man has pleaded guilty to the murder of a young woman in Belfast two years ago. Conor McCrory of Grangeville Gardens in Finaghy, South Belfast asked for the murder charge to be put to him when he appeared at Belfast Crown Court on Monday April 8. He then changed his plea to one of guilty of the murder of Maria McConnell.
01 June 2017
Four Men Arrested Over Murder Of Lorraine McCausland
Four people have been arrested in connection with the rape and murder of a woman in north Belfast in 1987. Lorraine McCausland was found dead beside a stream in the Forthriver area on 08 March. Two men, aged 54 and 65, were arrested in Belfast and two men, aged 53 and 59, were arrested in Antrim.
Four Men Arrested Over Murder Of Lorraine McCausland
Four people have been arrested in connection with the rape and murder of a woman in north Belfast in 1987. Lorraine McCausland was found dead beside a stream in the Forthriver area on 08 March. Two men, aged 54 and 65, were arrested in Belfast and two men, aged 53 and 59, were arrested in Antrim.
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