Murders accused in dock together

DENTIST Colin Howell and his ex-lover Hazel Stewart stood together in the dock for the first time yesterday, charged with the murders of their respective partners.

At North Antrim Magistrates' Court in Coleraine, they heard the delayed preliminary inquiry in the case is now expected to go ahead on April 12.

Even though they were charged separately at the end of January last year they had never been in the dock together until Monday.

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Both are charged with murdering Howell's wife Lesley, 31, and Mrs Stewart's first husband, RUC scenes of crime officer Trevor Buchanan, 31, whose bodies were found in a car filled with exhaust fumes at Castlerock in May 1991.

At the time it was believed the couple died as a result of a suicide pact, but the investigation was reopened when detectives questioned Howell and Mrs Stewart 15 months ago.

A spokeswoman from the Public Prosecution Service told the court, that the prosecution had requested that both defendants should appear in the dock, given the seriousness of the offences.

A Preliminary Enquiry was due to take place on Monday, but it was delayed for a second time, as Stewart's defence counsel were not ready to proceed.

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The PE will allow the District Judge to decide if the evidence is strong enough for the case to go to the Crown Court.

Howell (50) of Sea Road in Castlerock entered the dock first wearing a grey sweat top and jeans. He has been in custody in Maghaberry Prison since last January.

His co-accused Hazel Stewart, whose address is only known by the court, followed soon after. She wore a blue and grey waterproof jacket and black jeans.

The pair sat side by side in the dock, separated by a prison warden.

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During the short hearing, Stewart sat with her head down and her eyes closed. She made no eye contact with anyone in the court, while Howell, looked straight at the District Judge, Richard Wilson.

Members of the Buchanan family sat in the body of the court opposite female members of Stewart's family.

Stewart's solicitor, Stephen Hastings, told the court that he would endeavour to have the PE heard on the next occasion.

District Judge Richard Wilson told the court that he would 'like the matter to be moved forward'.

Outside, Stewart's husband, David, a former police superintendent, held up a briefcase to try to shield her face from TV and press cameras before driving away in a car with darkened windows.