Former spouses of ‘suicide pact’ couple to face murder charges

[Mr Crowley]

Former spouses of ‘suicide pact’ couple to face murder charges

THE FORMER spouses of a man and a woman thought to have died in a suicide pact nearly 20 years ago are due in court today charged with murder.

Dentist Colin Howell (50) and Hazel Stewart (45) are expected before Coleraine Magistrates Court, each charged with two counts of murder.

The bodies of RUC officer Trevor Buchanan (31) and Lesley Howell (30), who worked in her husband’s dental surgery, were found in a fume-filled car parked in the garage of a house in the town of Castlerock, Co Derry in May 1991.

Mother-of-four Mrs Howell’s body was discovered in the back seat of the car parked in a garage near picturesque cottages, referred to the 12 Apostles.

She was wearing Walkman earphones and clasping photographs of her children.

Mr Buchanan, a father-of-two, was in a front seat.

Police had said a hosepipe led from the exhaust into the car and that no crime was suspected.

But the investigation into Mrs Howell and Mr Buchanan’s deaths was reopened last week after Mr Howell, a devout Christian, contacted police on Thursday.

He was taken into custody while Mrs Stewart was arrested later.

Mr Howell’s business, Causeway Dental Implant Clinic in Ballymoney, was closed on Friday. Forensic investigators were pictured outside.

A notice pinned to the door by Robin Alexander and David Wilson, the principal directors of the practice, read: “Mr Alexander and Mr Wilson would like to inform their patients that they are in no way connected with recent events.

“We are shocked and saddened by the events of the last few days and apologise to our patients for any inconvenience.

“The practice will reopen as soon as possible.”

NOTICE: A note on the closed door of Causeway Dental. Inset, Colin Howell, Hazel Stewart and Trevor Buchanan MAIN PICTURE: Mark Jamieson

A further development is that Stewart was released on £15,000 bail after threatening to 'kill herself at the earliest opportunity.'
Stewart was escorted from prison by current husband, retired RUC superintendent David Stewart.
Absolutely no chance of any positive bias being shown by the judicial system there.

[Belfast-citizen]

I saw some lovely waxwings today

[Mr Crowley]

Mum on charge of murdering husband 'made suicide threat'

Hazel Stewart leaving court on bail yesterday with her husband David Stewart

Glamorous blonde was led shaking into the dock
Man and woman charged with double murder in 1991
Tuesday February 03 2009

At first police believed they took their own lives when their bodies were found

A mother accused of murdering her policeman husband and a woman nearly 20 years ago has threatened to commit suicide, a court heard yesterday.

Hazel Stewart (45) intimated to police she will kill herself at the first opportunity, according to a detective heading the investigation.

Inspector Ian Magee revealed police fears when he opposed bail for Ms Stewart, a mother of four, at a court in Coleraine in Co Derry, where she and dentist Dr Colin Howell were charged with murdering their ex-partners in 1991.

At first police believed the victims, RUC Constable Trevor Buchanan (31) and Mrs Lesley Howell (30) took their own lives when their bodies were discovered in a fume-filled car in the seaside town of Castlerock in May 1991.

But detectives re-opened the investigation last week when Mr Howell and Ms Stewart -- she later remarried -- were arrested.

Remarried

The pair were charged separately when they appeared in the dock at Coleraine Magistrates Court.

Mr Howell, a father of 10 -- he also remarried -- with an address at Sea Road, Castlerock, stood pale-faced and only replied "yes" to confirm his date of birth and that he understood the charges. He was remanded in custody until next Monday.

Ms Stewart, from Coleraine, but whose full address was not disclosed, was granted bail totalling £15,000 (€16,673) even though Inspector Magee claimed it was his belief she would take her own life if she was freed. A Crown lawyer asked District Judge Richard Wilson to remand her in custody to the women's section of Hydebank Prison in Belfast.

But he agreed to free her, provided she also surrendered her passport, report daily to police in Coleraine and had no contact with witnesses or other families.

Wearing a dark coat, she sat nervously between two prison guards with her head bowed, occasionally dabbing her eyes with a handkerchief, and spoke just twice to confirm her date of birth and that she understood the charges.

Her husband David, a retired senior police officer, and members of Constable Buchanan's family were among relatives in the packed courtroom who heard her solicitor Steven Hastings make an application for bail.

But Mr Magee said his objection was based on Ms Stewart's welfare and safety.

He told Judge Wilson: "There is a clear intimation to me and my team that should she be released that she may well take her own life. It would be my main concern."

And later when cross-examined by Mr Hastings he added: "I would suggest she would be better off without bail. I do have a clear belief that she may well harm herself, or even commit suicide."

Mr Magee said he accepted Ms Stewart had the support of her husband, as well as the love and care of two of her children, aged 25 and 26. But he also claimed: "It is very difficult to keep an eye on someone 24 hours a day."

He said he did not agree that the granting of bail would allow for a safer and more appropriate environment than Hydebank.

Ms Stewart's husband, called to the witness box by Mr Hastings, told the court he could provide a safe environment for his wife.

He had no doubt she would not cause him, or the children, any difficulties, and he intended to do all he could to keep her safe. The children's attitude was very supportive.

Judge Wilson said he appreciated there were concerns about Ms Stewart being released, but he was prepared to accede to request for bail.

He added: "I certainly hope that the defendant will be well looked after when she is released."

- Deric Henderson
Mum on charge of murdering husband 'made suicide threat' - National News, Frontpage - Independent.ie

[Belfast-citizen]

And most of the trains in NI had technical problems this morning.

[Gabha Óir]

And most of the trains in NI had technical problems this morning.

Attempt to derail thread by BC...who'da thunk it?

[Belfast-citizen]

Nah i'm just lost in this debate lol

[Mr Crowley]

I saw some lovely waxwings today

<Mod> Image removed - NSFW. </Mod>

Belfast-citizen's failed Icarus attempt.

[Belfast-citizen]

No personal pictures Cowley