19/08/2002

Two men charged with murder of student

Two men have appeared at Coleraine Magistrates Court today charged with the murder of a student in Country Antrim.

Both men denied the murder of Chris Whitson, who lost his fight for life last Monday – 10 days after he was beaten severely in the car park of Kelly's nightclub.

The pair were remanded in custody after the hearing. Both men had been previously charged with grievous bodily harm in connection with the incident.

Over a thousand people attended the funeral of 21-year-old Mr Whitson on Friday morning.

The SDLP's East Derry assembly member John Dallat and Coleraine councillor Alderman Billy Leonard, who attended the funeral, said that the death had "shocked the entire north coast community".

(GMcG)

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