Transcripts of police interviews with a dentist accused of murdering his wife and his former lover’s husband should be complete by the end of next month a court heard today.
Dr Colin Howell (51), dressed in jeans and a white T-shirt, appeared by video link from Magherberry Prison, near Lisburn, Co Antrim, where he has been in custody since his arrest at the end of last January. He was remanded in custody by the court.
Other key witnesses have also been interviewed by investigating officers, District Judge Richard Wilson was told by a Crown lawyer at North Antrim magistrates’ court in Coleraine.
He is accused of murdering his wife Lesley (31) and constable Trevor Buchanan (32), the husband of his former lover, whose bodies were found in a car filled with carbon monoxide fumes in Castlerock, Co Derry in May 1991.
At first their deaths were treated as suicide but detectives launched a double murder investigation when Mr Howell was arrested at his home at Glebe Road, Castlerock.
He is also charged with drugging and indecently assaulting four women on separate dates over a 10-year period. After today’s brief hearing he was remanded until September 21st.
His former lover, Hazel Stewart (46), of Ballinstrone Road, Coleraine - she later remarried - was also remanded on continuing bail when she appeared at the same court today.
Dressed in a black suit, the mother-of-two stood with her head bowed not making any eye contact with relatives of Mr Buchanan who sat at the opposite side of the court. She is also charged with the two murders and she was granted continuing bail to appear in court again on October 19th.
PA