Dental expert to report on Howell

Double murder charge dentist Howell appeared at North Antrim Magistrates' Court yesterday morning via videolink.

The court heard that a preliminary enquiry will be held into the two murder charges that Howell faces - that of his wife Lesley Howell and police officer Trevor Buchanan.

The PE will be held on March 1 and Howell was remanded in continuing custody to re-appear via videolink on February 1.

Dressed in a red and black rugby shirt, Howell was clean shaven and spoke only to confirm that he understood the proceedings.

The former dentist of Sea Road in Castlerock was also remanded for a further four weeks until February 1 on further charges he faces, namely four counts of indecent assault on a female and four counts of using chloroform with the intent of committing an indictable offence.

During an application to remand Howell in custody for a further four weeks, the court heard that hte Crown Prosecution has requested that a dental expert compile a report regarding the administration of medication.

Later in the sitting, Howell's co-accused Hazel Roberta Stewart appeared in person in court.

The court again heard that a preliminary enquiry will be held on March 1 into the two murder charges that Stewart faces - the murders of Lesley Howell and her then husband Trevor Buchanan.

46-year-old Stewart appeared in court dressed in a black coat and supported by her husband.