Portstewart man to stand trial for mother’s murder

Alun Kinney Evans (33) was produced from jail to appear at North Antrim Magistrates Court in Coleraine on Monday for the preliminary enquiry where a prosecuting lawyer submitted there is a Prima Facie case against him.

Evans is charged with murdering his mother, well known hairdresser Margo Evans at their family home at Knockancor Drive, Portstewart in June last year.

Mrs Evans, 69 was found beaten to death at her home in the seaside town on 4 June last year and her son was initially arrested that day but was not formally charged until October after spending six months as an inpatient in a secure psychiatric ward.

However Evans was moved to Maghaberry Prison last December when the Mental Health Order detaining him expired.

During Monday’s hearing, a defence lawyer conceded the Crown submission of a Prima Facie case while Evans himself said he was aware of the charges and that he was not objecting to the preliminary enquiry.

Although the court clerk told the alleged killer he had the right to comment on the charges, give evidence to the preliminary enquiry himself or call witnesses on his behalf, with a warning that any evidence would be written down and maybe given in evidence at his trial, Evans declined the opportunity.

Remanding Evans back into custody, Deputy District Judge Chris Holmes committed Evans to the Crown Court for trial and ordered him to be produced to Laganside for arraignment on 25 September.

Evans replied: “Thank-you Your Worship” before being led away.