09/02/2009

Suicide Deaths' Suspect Facing Sex Probe

A probe into alleged sexual offences has been opened as the man accused of a double murder in Castlerock 18 years ago faces further questioning by police.

An application was made to question Colin Howell about alleged sexual offences at Coleraine Magistrates Court on Monday.

Already, the 50-year-old dentist from Sea Road, Castlerock, is charged with the double murder of his wife Lesley and RUC officer Trevor Buchanan.

Their bodies were found in a fume-filled car in Castlerock on 5 May 1991.

At the time, a coroner's court ruled that both had committed suicide

Mr Buchanan's former wife Hazel Stewart is also charged with the murders.

During a hearing at Coleraine Magistrates Court this morning, police applied to question Mr Howell about two indecent assaults, other sexual offences.

It was suggested that the defendant wanted to speak to the police about these other offences and the judge granted the application by the PSNI.

The police now have three days to question him.

The defendant will appear at Ballymena Magistrates Court on Thursday. Mrs Stewart remains on bail.

See: One Bailed, One Held Over 'Suicide' Deaths

(BMcC/JM)

Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.

23 June 2016
Police Officers Disciplined For Failing To Tell Doctor About Woman's Head Injuries
Two police officers have been disciplined after they failed to let their colleagues and a police doctor know that a woman had sustained a head injury, a Police Ombudsman investigation has concluded. The woman died from bleeding to the brain on 24 February 2014, the day after she suffered the injury.
08 July 2016
Man Charged With Drugs Offences After Being Arrested In England
A man has been charged in connection with drugs offences after being arrested in England on Wednesday, 06 July. The 41-year-old suspect is due to appear at Londonderry Magistrates Court today, 08 July. He has been charged with encouraging or assisting offences linked to the supply of class A drugs and money laundering.
14 July 2023
Man Charged With Attempted Sexual Communication With A Child
A 31-year-old man has been charged with a number of offences including attempted sexual communication with a child. The man was arrested in north Belfast on Thursday, 13 July. He is due to appear at Laganside Magistrates Court today, 14 July. As is usual procedure all charges will be reviewed by the PPS.
19 December 2016
Joe Reilly Murder: Man Arrested
A 51-year-old man has been arrested in connection with the murder of Joe Reilly. Mr Reilly, 43, was shot at his home in the Glenwood Court area of Poleglass, west Belfast, on 20 October. The suspect was arrested on Monday, 19 December, and has been taken to Musgrave Police station to be questioned.
24 October 2014
Police Appeal After 'Shot Fired' In North Belfast
Police have launched an investigation after reports of a shot being fired in north Belfast. No-one is believed to have been injured in the incident in the Farringdon Court area on Thursday. Police are keen to establish what happened and are appealing to anyone with information to contact them.