News

Man to stand trial for the murder of his mother

Police at the scene in Portavogie where the body of Mrs Arustamova was found
Police at the scene in Portavogie where the body of Mrs Arustamova was found Police at the scene in Portavogie where the body of Mrs Arustamova was found

A LATVIAN man accused of murdering his mother in Portavogie is to stand trial later this year.

Viktors Arustampovs denies murdering his 52-year old mother Lila Aroustamova on a date between December 10 and 13 last year.

Arustampovs (25) was arrested by police after the body was discovered in a house on Main Street in the Co Down fishing village.

The accused, whose address was given as HMP Maghaberry, appeared at Downpatrick Crown Court sitting in Belfast on Friday, where via a translator he was charged with murdering his mother.

When the charge was put to him, Arustampovs replied: "I plead not guilty for murder and I plead guilty for manslaughter."

After the plea of manslaughter on the grounds of diminished responsibility was entered, prosecuting barrister Sam Magee said "that plea is not being accepted by the Crown", telling Mr Justice Treacy the accused would be standing trial for murder.

A solicitor for Arustampovs said that since his arrest last December, his client has been transferred from prison to a secure unit at Knockbracken Healthcare Park on the outskirts of Belfast. The solicitor also revealed that Arustampovs will undergo further medical assessments before his trial.

The case is listed for review next month, with a trial date set for December 5. The trial is due to be held at Downpatrick Crown Court and is expected to last around five days.

Following a short hearing, Arustampovs was remanded back to the Knockbracken facility.