30/11/2010
Killer Dentist's Double Murders Outlined
The shocking details of a cold, calculating double murderer's tactics have emerged in a fresh hearing to decide a minimum jail term.
Belfast Crown Court has heard how Castlerock dentist, Colin Howell confessed his crimes to the police - despite apparently getting clean away with his horrific crimes - with the two deaths blamed on a bizarre suicide pact.
Howell first killed his wife Lesley, who called out their son's name "Matthew" as he held a homemade gas pipe and makeshift mask to her face as she slept in the family home.
Howell then dressed her body, put it into the boot of his car and drove to the home of his former lover Hazel Stewart where he then also gassed her police constable husband Trevor Buchannan in May 1991 as he was sleeping.
Howell continued his deadly plan even when Mr Buchannan woke and struggled before Howell pulled a quilt over his victim's head and fully gassed him, just as he had done with his wife.
Howell told police he also dressed Mr Buchannan and put him into the boot of his car along with his murdered wife and drove them to a house on Cliff Terrace in Castlerock, known as the 12 Apostles.
There he put the dead police officer into the driver's seat and his wife lying outside the boot.
Howell admitted to placing family photographs around his dead wife's body and placing a "reflective" letter his wife had written on the kitchen floor of their home to make it look more like a suicide pact by the wronged spouses.
As a result, an inquest held in 1992 found that the pair had died as a result of carbon monoxide poisoning in what appeared to everyone to be a tragic double suicide.
Mr Murphy said it was not until last year when Howell, from the Glebe Road in Castlerock, confessed to his callous crimes to his second wife Kyle and the police were called.
Earlier this year he pleaded guilty to the murders and has already been jailed for life for both.
This Friday, Mr Justice Hart will decide what minimum term he will have to serve before even being considered for release.
(BMcC/KMcA)
Belfast Crown Court has heard how Castlerock dentist, Colin Howell confessed his crimes to the police - despite apparently getting clean away with his horrific crimes - with the two deaths blamed on a bizarre suicide pact.
Howell first killed his wife Lesley, who called out their son's name "Matthew" as he held a homemade gas pipe and makeshift mask to her face as she slept in the family home.
Howell then dressed her body, put it into the boot of his car and drove to the home of his former lover Hazel Stewart where he then also gassed her police constable husband Trevor Buchannan in May 1991 as he was sleeping.
Howell continued his deadly plan even when Mr Buchannan woke and struggled before Howell pulled a quilt over his victim's head and fully gassed him, just as he had done with his wife.
Howell told police he also dressed Mr Buchannan and put him into the boot of his car along with his murdered wife and drove them to a house on Cliff Terrace in Castlerock, known as the 12 Apostles.
There he put the dead police officer into the driver's seat and his wife lying outside the boot.
Howell admitted to placing family photographs around his dead wife's body and placing a "reflective" letter his wife had written on the kitchen floor of their home to make it look more like a suicide pact by the wronged spouses.
As a result, an inquest held in 1992 found that the pair had died as a result of carbon monoxide poisoning in what appeared to everyone to be a tragic double suicide.
Mr Murphy said it was not until last year when Howell, from the Glebe Road in Castlerock, confessed to his callous crimes to his second wife Kyle and the police were called.
Earlier this year he pleaded guilty to the murders and has already been jailed for life for both.
This Friday, Mr Justice Hart will decide what minimum term he will have to serve before even being considered for release.
(BMcC/KMcA)
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08 February 2013
Hazel Stewart Was 'Knowing And Willing' Accomplice
The Appeal Court has ruled Hazel Stewart was a "knowing and willing" participant in the murder of her husband and her former lover’s wife, the BBC has reported. Three senior judges have concluded she supported the double murder, carried out by former dentist Colin Howell, by providing him with assistance.
Hazel Stewart Was 'Knowing And Willing' Accomplice
The Appeal Court has ruled Hazel Stewart was a "knowing and willing" participant in the murder of her husband and her former lover’s wife, the BBC has reported. Three senior judges have concluded she supported the double murder, carried out by former dentist Colin Howell, by providing him with assistance.
11 February 2009
Murder Accused Dentist Facing Sex Charges
Four charges of indecently assaulting adult females are to be laid against the dentist already accused of murdering his wife and a police officer today. Colin Howell, 49, faces the fresh charges having also been charged with illegally administering overpowering drugs with intent to commit indecent assault.
Murder Accused Dentist Facing Sex Charges
Four charges of indecently assaulting adult females are to be laid against the dentist already accused of murdering his wife and a police officer today. Colin Howell, 49, faces the fresh charges having also been charged with illegally administering overpowering drugs with intent to commit indecent assault.
02 March 2009
Another Death Probed Over Dentist Murder Case
Investigations into the affairs of a murder-accused dentist have been given a further twist. Police have confirmed they are investigating another death in connection with Colin Howell, who has already been charged with two murders.
Another Death Probed Over Dentist Murder Case
Investigations into the affairs of a murder-accused dentist have been given a further twist. Police have confirmed they are investigating another death in connection with Colin Howell, who has already been charged with two murders.
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.
23 June 2016
Police Officers Disciplined For Failing To Tell Doctor About Woman's Head Injuries
Two police officers have been disciplined after they failed to let their colleagues and a police doctor know that a woman had sustained a head injury, a Police Ombudsman investigation has concluded. The woman died from bleeding to the brain on 24 February 2014, the day after she suffered the injury.
Police Officers Disciplined For Failing To Tell Doctor About Woman's Head Injuries
Two police officers have been disciplined after they failed to let their colleagues and a police doctor know that a woman had sustained a head injury, a Police Ombudsman investigation has concluded. The woman died from bleeding to the brain on 24 February 2014, the day after she suffered the injury.
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