Man (27) charged with fatal Belfast beating

A man (27) appeared in court today charged with the murder of a man found beaten to death in Co Antrim at the weekend.

A man (27) appeared in court today charged with the murder of a man found beaten to death in Co Antrim at the weekend.

Mr Stephen Peter Henry, unemployed, of Mountpottinger Road in east Belfast, was charged with the murder of Mr John Cooke (33) on Sunday.

Mr Cooke's severely beaten body was found in a house at Church Lane, Lisburn, after police were called to the scene of an alleged hit-and-run incident a short distance away.

Mr Henry was remanded in custody at Craigavon Magistrates' Court in Co Armagh until May 25th.

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The court was told by a detective sergeant that when charged with the murder Henry replied "No". He said he believed he could connect the accused with the charge.

Detectives investigating the killing yesterday found a significant amount of class A and class B drugs and drug-making equipment at the house where Mr Cooke's body was discovered.

Police have said there was nothing to suggest the motive for the killing was drugs-related.

PA