Menu
19/11/2010
Life Sentences For 'Suicide' Murders
A bizarre case against a dentist who also a lay preacher has seen the Co Londonderry professional handed down two life sentences for the murders of his wife and his ex-lover's husband.
Although at first thought to be a double suicide, when the victims died in a fume-filled car nearly 20 years ago, 51-year-old dentist Colin Howell yesterday changed his plea at Belfast Crown Court and admitted the 1991 murders.
He pleaded guilty to murdering his wife and mother-of-four Lesley, 31, and Constable Trevor Buchanan, 32, after their bodies were discovered in a car in scenic Castlerock.
Howell, also from Castlerock, had denied the two charges since his arrest last year when the case was reopened by the PSNI, but admitted the double murder on Thursday.
His former lover, Hazel Stewart, 47, who was married to Constable Buchanan at the time, is due to stand trial for the two murders in Coleraine, next Wednesday.
Mr Justice Anthony Hart told him: You have pleaded guilty to two charges of murder. The only sentence the law allows is one of life imprisonment which I now sentence you."
Howell and his co-accused, as well as their partners, were all members of Coleraine Baptist Church at the time of the deaths. But when he was arrested last year, he was a member of a north Antrim-based church group called the Barn Christian Fellowship.
A year after the police launched an investigation, a coroner's court inquest said the deaths were suicides, both victims having been poisoned by carbon monoxide fumes.
(BMcC/GK)
Although at first thought to be a double suicide, when the victims died in a fume-filled car nearly 20 years ago, 51-year-old dentist Colin Howell yesterday changed his plea at Belfast Crown Court and admitted the 1991 murders.
He pleaded guilty to murdering his wife and mother-of-four Lesley, 31, and Constable Trevor Buchanan, 32, after their bodies were discovered in a car in scenic Castlerock.
Howell, also from Castlerock, had denied the two charges since his arrest last year when the case was reopened by the PSNI, but admitted the double murder on Thursday.
His former lover, Hazel Stewart, 47, who was married to Constable Buchanan at the time, is due to stand trial for the two murders in Coleraine, next Wednesday.
Mr Justice Anthony Hart told him: You have pleaded guilty to two charges of murder. The only sentence the law allows is one of life imprisonment which I now sentence you."
Howell and his co-accused, as well as their partners, were all members of Coleraine Baptist Church at the time of the deaths. But when he was arrested last year, he was a member of a north Antrim-based church group called the Barn Christian Fellowship.
A year after the police launched an investigation, a coroner's court inquest said the deaths were suicides, both victims having been poisoned by carbon monoxide fumes.
(BMcC/GK)
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
15 February 2011
Bizarre Double Murder Trial Continues
Defence counsel for a Co Londonderry woman accused of freely taking part in the plot to kill her own husband and her then lover's wife, have claimed that dentist Colin Howell was forcing the accused, Hazel Stewart against her will to be complicit in the deadly plot.
Bizarre Double Murder Trial Continues
Defence counsel for a Co Londonderry woman accused of freely taking part in the plot to kill her own husband and her then lover's wife, have claimed that dentist Colin Howell was forcing the accused, Hazel Stewart against her will to be complicit in the deadly plot.
07 June 2011
Inquest Verdict 'Carbon Monoxide Poisoning'
A second inquest has today found that two people murdered by disgraced dentist, Colin Howell and his lover Hazel Stewart were the victims of "homicidal carbon monoxide poisoning". Trevor Buchanan, a 32-year-old policeman and Mrs Howell, 31, were found in a car in a fume-filled garage in the seaside town of Castlerock, Co Londonderry.
Inquest Verdict 'Carbon Monoxide Poisoning'
A second inquest has today found that two people murdered by disgraced dentist, Colin Howell and his lover Hazel Stewart were the victims of "homicidal carbon monoxide poisoning". Trevor Buchanan, a 32-year-old policeman and Mrs Howell, 31, were found in a car in a fume-filled garage in the seaside town of Castlerock, Co Londonderry.
13 January 2012
Stewart Faces Delay Over Double Murder Appeal
Hazel Stewart, who was convicted of double murder, may have to wait until the summer to hear if she can overturn her conviction. Stewart was convicted of murdering her husband and her lover Colin Howell's wife 20 years ago.
Stewart Faces Delay Over Double Murder Appeal
Hazel Stewart, who was convicted of double murder, may have to wait until the summer to hear if she can overturn her conviction. Stewart was convicted of murdering her husband and her lover Colin Howell's wife 20 years ago.
09 July 2002
NI religious attitudes hardening
There is an increasing hardening of attitudes by both Protestants and Catholics towards living, working and learning together according to new research. The research conducted by the University of Ulster reveals that Protestants’ and Catholics’ perceptions of each other are becoming increasingly negative.
NI religious attitudes hardening
There is an increasing hardening of attitudes by both Protestants and Catholics towards living, working and learning together according to new research. The research conducted by the University of Ulster reveals that Protestants’ and Catholics’ perceptions of each other are becoming increasingly negative.
06 December 2011
'Flawed' RUC Double Murder Probe Slammed
RUC detectives overlooked vital clues pointing to a controversial double murder, a new report has today suggested.
'Flawed' RUC Double Murder Probe Slammed
RUC detectives overlooked vital clues pointing to a controversial double murder, a new report has today suggested.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherThis Evening and Tonight:A dry night, save for a few light showers around the coasts, with prolonged clear spells and light winds bringing a frosty dawn for many in central and southern parts. Minimum temperature -3 °C.
