A 41-year-old Newcastle man has appeared in court over the murder of his elderly neighbour in the County Down town last week.
Mark William Bready, of Slievenabrock Avenue, is charged with the murder of Sean Small, who was 84, on a date between 19 and 24 August.
Mr Small’s body was found outside his home late on Sunday after what police described as a “brutal and sustained attack”.
Today at Newtownards Magistrates’ Court Mr Bready confirmed he understood the charge against him whilst an Investigating Officer said she could connect him to the charge.
No bail application was made and Mr Bready was remanded in custody to appear in court again on September 25.
Before that, an assessment of the defendant’s mental health will be carried out, following an application from Mr Bready’s solicitor.
Mr Small was recently released from prison after serving a sentence for sexual offences.
In 2022, Small pleaded guilty to 10 sexual offences against a woman described as “vulnerable” and a teenage girl.
He was sentenced to three years in prison and three years under supervision in the community.
