09/02/2009

Suicide Deaths' Suspect Facing Sex Probe

A probe into alleged sexual offences has been opened as the man accused of a double murder in Castlerock 18 years ago faces further questioning by police.

An application was made to question Colin Howell about alleged sexual offences at Coleraine Magistrates Court on Monday.

Already, the 50-year-old dentist from Sea Road, Castlerock, is charged with the double murder of his wife Lesley and RUC officer Trevor Buchanan.

Their bodies were found in a fume-filled car in Castlerock on 5 May 1991.

At the time, a coroner's court ruled that both had committed suicide

Mr Buchanan's former wife Hazel Stewart is also charged with the murders.

During a hearing at Coleraine Magistrates Court this morning, police applied to question Mr Howell about two indecent assaults, other sexual offences.

It was suggested that the defendant wanted to speak to the police about these other offences and the judge granted the application by the PSNI.

The police now have three days to question him.

The defendant will appear at Ballymena Magistrates Court on Thursday. Mrs Stewart remains on bail.

See: One Bailed, One Held Over 'Suicide' Deaths

(BMcC/JM)

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