Menu
28/05/2012
Couple Acquitted Of Killing Disabled Granddaughter
An elderly couple who were accused of killing their disabled granddaughter have been acquitted.
David and Sarah Johnston, from Carwood Drive, Glengormley, County Antrim, denied charges of manslaughter and child cruelty.
Following the acquittal, Mr Johnson told the judge: "Thank you very much."
Their granddaughter Rebecca McKeown, 14, who was severely disabled and needed round-the-clock care, died in hospital in March 2001 after developing pneumonia.
The trial covered claims that Rebecca had fallen ill after an alleged sexual assault at the hands of one or both of her grandparents, and the court heard she had been admitted to hospital after blood was found in her nappy.
Locum GP Mary Donnelly admitted during the trial that two of her fingers "unintentionally" slipped inside the teenager during an examination.
It was the first time Dr Donnelly had admitted this in the 11 years since examining her.
Although a consultant gynaecologist told the trial the injury sustained would have been "excruciatingly painful", Northern Ireland's state pathologist Professor Jack Crane said he could not be sure that it caused Rebecca's death.
This afternoon, Justice McLaughlin directed a jury to find Mr and Mrs Johnston not guilty after the prosecution offered no further evidence.
He described the case as a "great human tragedy" and said the elderly couple had been attacked and put out of their home as a result of the case.
Prosecuting barrister Toby Hedworth QC said he had come to the decision not to offer further evidence after "anxiously" reviewing forthcoming testimony.
(NE)
David and Sarah Johnston, from Carwood Drive, Glengormley, County Antrim, denied charges of manslaughter and child cruelty.
Following the acquittal, Mr Johnson told the judge: "Thank you very much."
Their granddaughter Rebecca McKeown, 14, who was severely disabled and needed round-the-clock care, died in hospital in March 2001 after developing pneumonia.
The trial covered claims that Rebecca had fallen ill after an alleged sexual assault at the hands of one or both of her grandparents, and the court heard she had been admitted to hospital after blood was found in her nappy.
Locum GP Mary Donnelly admitted during the trial that two of her fingers "unintentionally" slipped inside the teenager during an examination.
It was the first time Dr Donnelly had admitted this in the 11 years since examining her.
Although a consultant gynaecologist told the trial the injury sustained would have been "excruciatingly painful", Northern Ireland's state pathologist Professor Jack Crane said he could not be sure that it caused Rebecca's death.
This afternoon, Justice McLaughlin directed a jury to find Mr and Mrs Johnston not guilty after the prosecution offered no further evidence.
He described the case as a "great human tragedy" and said the elderly couple had been attacked and put out of their home as a result of the case.
Prosecuting barrister Toby Hedworth QC said he had come to the decision not to offer further evidence after "anxiously" reviewing forthcoming testimony.
(NE)
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
24 April 2012
Couple Go On Trial Accused Of Murdering Granddaughter
The grandparents of a severely disabled teenage girl who died more than ten years ago have gone on trial at Belfast Crown Court accused of her murder. David Johnstone, 88, and his wife Sarah, 86, from Cranwood Drive in Glengormley, deny manslaughter and charges of child cruelty against their granddaughter Rebecca McKeown, 14, in March 2001.
Couple Go On Trial Accused Of Murdering Granddaughter
The grandparents of a severely disabled teenage girl who died more than ten years ago have gone on trial at Belfast Crown Court accused of her murder. David Johnstone, 88, and his wife Sarah, 86, from Cranwood Drive in Glengormley, deny manslaughter and charges of child cruelty against their granddaughter Rebecca McKeown, 14, in March 2001.
16 January 2024
Woman Assaulted And Threaten During Burglary In Newcastle
A 33-year-old man has been arrested in connection with an aggravated burglary in Newcastle in the early hours of Sunday 14th January. At around 01.45am, a woman was in the living room of her Burrendale Park Close home with her teenage daughter and sleeping baby granddaughter when two men came in through the front door.
Woman Assaulted And Threaten During Burglary In Newcastle
A 33-year-old man has been arrested in connection with an aggravated burglary in Newcastle in the early hours of Sunday 14th January. At around 01.45am, a woman was in the living room of her Burrendale Park Close home with her teenage daughter and sleeping baby granddaughter when two men came in through the front door.
27 October 2009
Granddaughter Sees Off Intruder
A brave young Belfast woman has told how she fought off an intruder who had threatened to rape her and her 88-year-old grandmother in their own home. Ciara Mullan, 24, described how she struggled with the man who exposed himself after he got into their bungalow at about 3am this morning, (Monday).
Granddaughter Sees Off Intruder
A brave young Belfast woman has told how she fought off an intruder who had threatened to rape her and her 88-year-old grandmother in their own home. Ciara Mullan, 24, described how she struggled with the man who exposed himself after he got into their bungalow at about 3am this morning, (Monday).
08 August 2007
Belfast Man Drowns As He Saves Granddaughter
A Belfast man who died last Sunday, after he laid down his life to save his 18-month-old granddaughter from drowning, has today been praised as a hero by his son.
Belfast Man Drowns As He Saves Granddaughter
A Belfast man who died last Sunday, after he laid down his life to save his 18-month-old granddaughter from drowning, has today been praised as a hero by his son.
23 February 2004
Pensioner dies in house fire
A pensioner has died following a house fire at his home in Co Armagh. The man, who is believed to have been in his 70s, died after a fire broke out in the living room of his flat in Banbrook Hill, Armagh. The man was found dead at the scene by firefighters. It is believed the fire started accidentally.
Pensioner dies in house fire
A pensioner has died following a house fire at his home in Co Armagh. The man, who is believed to have been in his 70s, died after a fire broke out in the living room of his flat in Banbrook Hill, Armagh. The man was found dead at the scene by firefighters. It is believed the fire started accidentally.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherThis Evening and Tonight:It will be cloudy with a spell of heavy rain pushing south through late evening and the early hours, soon followed by some clear spells. Minimum temperature 6 °C.
