Man charged with brutal Lisburn murder

A 27-year-old man was tonight charged with the murder of a man in Co Antrim.

A 27-year-old man was tonight charged with the murder of a man in Co Antrim.

The man had been questioned since Monday night about the murder of Mr John Cooke, (33), whose severely beaten body was discovered in a house at Church Lane in Lisburn.

He is due to appear at Craigavon Magistrates Court tomorrow.

Detectives investigating the killing today 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.

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However, a police spokeswoman said there was nothing to suggest that the motive for the killing was drugs-related.

Police found the body after attending the scene of an alleged hit-and-run incident in Hillhall Road on Sunday night.

They were directed to the house where they discovered the gruesome sight. Sources have claimed that Mr Cooke's arm was almost severed in the attack.

It is believed the victim died after a heavy drinking session.

PA