Menu
19/11/2010
Life Sentences For 'Suicide' Murders
A bizarre case against a dentist who also a lay preacher has seen the Co Londonderry professional handed down two life sentences for the murders of his wife and his ex-lover's husband.
Although at first thought to be a double suicide, when the victims died in a fume-filled car nearly 20 years ago, 51-year-old dentist Colin Howell yesterday changed his plea at Belfast Crown Court and admitted the 1991 murders.
He pleaded guilty to murdering his wife and mother-of-four Lesley, 31, and Constable Trevor Buchanan, 32, after their bodies were discovered in a car in scenic Castlerock.
Howell, also from Castlerock, had denied the two charges since his arrest last year when the case was reopened by the PSNI, but admitted the double murder on Thursday.
His former lover, Hazel Stewart, 47, who was married to Constable Buchanan at the time, is due to stand trial for the two murders in Coleraine, next Wednesday.
Mr Justice Anthony Hart told him: You have pleaded guilty to two charges of murder. The only sentence the law allows is one of life imprisonment which I now sentence you."
Howell and his co-accused, as well as their partners, were all members of Coleraine Baptist Church at the time of the deaths. But when he was arrested last year, he was a member of a north Antrim-based church group called the Barn Christian Fellowship.
A year after the police launched an investigation, a coroner's court inquest said the deaths were suicides, both victims having been poisoned by carbon monoxide fumes.
(BMcC/GK)
Although at first thought to be a double suicide, when the victims died in a fume-filled car nearly 20 years ago, 51-year-old dentist Colin Howell yesterday changed his plea at Belfast Crown Court and admitted the 1991 murders.
He pleaded guilty to murdering his wife and mother-of-four Lesley, 31, and Constable Trevor Buchanan, 32, after their bodies were discovered in a car in scenic Castlerock.
Howell, also from Castlerock, had denied the two charges since his arrest last year when the case was reopened by the PSNI, but admitted the double murder on Thursday.
His former lover, Hazel Stewart, 47, who was married to Constable Buchanan at the time, is due to stand trial for the two murders in Coleraine, next Wednesday.
Mr Justice Anthony Hart told him: You have pleaded guilty to two charges of murder. The only sentence the law allows is one of life imprisonment which I now sentence you."
Howell and his co-accused, as well as their partners, were all members of Coleraine Baptist Church at the time of the deaths. But when he was arrested last year, he was a member of a north Antrim-based church group called the Barn Christian Fellowship.
A year after the police launched an investigation, a coroner's court inquest said the deaths were suicides, both victims having been poisoned by carbon monoxide fumes.
(BMcC/GK)
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
13 December 2024
Other News In Brief
Alliance Welcomes 'Ongoing Success' Of Enhanced Stalking Protections The Alliance Party has welcomed the "ongoing success" of Northern Ireland's enhanced stalking protections.
Other News In Brief
Alliance Welcomes 'Ongoing Success' Of Enhanced Stalking Protections The Alliance Party has welcomed the "ongoing success" of Northern Ireland's enhanced stalking protections.
15 February 2011
Bizarre Double Murder Trial Continues
Defence counsel for a Co Londonderry woman accused of freely taking part in the plot to kill her own husband and her then lover's wife, have claimed that dentist Colin Howell was forcing the accused, Hazel Stewart against her will to be complicit in the deadly plot.
Bizarre Double Murder Trial Continues
Defence counsel for a Co Londonderry woman accused of freely taking part in the plot to kill her own husband and her then lover's wife, have claimed that dentist Colin Howell was forcing the accused, Hazel Stewart against her will to be complicit in the deadly plot.
07 June 2011
Inquest Verdict 'Carbon Monoxide Poisoning'
A second inquest has today found that two people murdered by disgraced dentist, Colin Howell and his lover Hazel Stewart were the victims of "homicidal carbon monoxide poisoning". Trevor Buchanan, a 32-year-old policeman and Mrs Howell, 31, were found in a car in a fume-filled garage in the seaside town of Castlerock, Co Londonderry.
Inquest Verdict 'Carbon Monoxide Poisoning'
A second inquest has today found that two people murdered by disgraced dentist, Colin Howell and his lover Hazel Stewart were the victims of "homicidal carbon monoxide poisoning". Trevor Buchanan, a 32-year-old policeman and Mrs Howell, 31, were found in a car in a fume-filled garage in the seaside town of Castlerock, Co Londonderry.
13 January 2012
Stewart Faces Delay Over Double Murder Appeal
Hazel Stewart, who was convicted of double murder, may have to wait until the summer to hear if she can overturn her conviction. Stewart was convicted of murdering her husband and her lover Colin Howell's wife 20 years ago.
Stewart Faces Delay Over Double Murder Appeal
Hazel Stewart, who was convicted of double murder, may have to wait until the summer to hear if she can overturn her conviction. Stewart was convicted of murdering her husband and her lover Colin Howell's wife 20 years ago.
11 December 2024
Belfast Man Jailed For 27 Years For Child Sex Abuse
A Belfast man has been jailed for 27 years after admitting to a horrific catalogue of child sex abuse. David Andrews, 55, pleaded guilty to 130 charges, including attempted rape and sexual communication with a child. The offences involved 47 victims, 46 of whom were children.
Belfast Man Jailed For 27 Years For Child Sex Abuse
A Belfast man has been jailed for 27 years after admitting to a horrific catalogue of child sex abuse. David Andrews, 55, pleaded guilty to 130 charges, including attempted rape and sexual communication with a child. The offences involved 47 victims, 46 of whom were children.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A largely cloudy day with occasional rain. Turning drier and brighter for a time in the afternoon and feeling very mild. Light southerly winds becoming strong with gales later along the County Down coast. Maximum temperature 13 °C.Tonight:Cloudy with outbreaks of rain, these heavy at times. Strong southerly winds, with gales in the evening across eastern counties, becoming westerly later. Minimum temperature 8 °C.
