Murder victim died from blunt force trauma, court told

A man who was murdered in Coleraine, County Londonderry, died as result of blunt force trauma, a court has heard.

Wayne John Reid, 43, was found dead at house in Society Court in the town on 12 January.

Coleraine Magistrates' Court heard on Monday that Reid revealed the names of those responsible for attacking him in phone calls made before his death.

Darrell Joseph Shaw, 33, of no fixed abode, has been charged with his murder and was refused bail.

He appeared wearing handcuffs and a grey tracksuit and confirmed he understood the charge.

A detective sergeant said the murder weapon had been identified as an iron bar and the victim died as a result of blunt force trauma to the abdomen resulting in a haemorraged spleen and internal bleeding.

The court heard that the victim was seen leaving a flat in the early hours of 10 January unsteady on his feet and with facial injuries, before "taking refuge" at the property at Society Court.

The detective said Reid called two people to tell them what happened.

Outlining what those two individuals have since told police, the officer said: "One has said that Mr Shaw and three others were responsible for carrying out an assault on him and another outlines how a weapon was used to carry out an assault and also names Mr Shaw and one other."

It was also heard the murder followed an ongoing dispute over drug debt and a vehicle.

The court heard details of Shaw's pre-prepared statement from police questioning in which he denied the murder: "I did not murder Wayne Reid."

Objecting to bail, the detective sergeant said they believed the defendant was likely reoffend and gave details of 84 previous convictions.

Bail was refused and district judge Austin Kennedy said Shaw was "clearly a danger to the public if released on bail".

Friends of Reid seated in the public gallery of the courtroom were visibly upset during the proceedings.

The police investigation continues into the murder.

Three women, aged 19, 38 and 45 arrested in connection with the murder were released on bail on Monday.

Detectives have been granted a court extension of an additional 24 hours to question a 39-year-old woman, and one other person remains in custody.

A total of nine people have been arrested, with six released on bail.