Northern Ireland

PSNI sergeant to go on trial facing charges relating to death of man in custody

David McGowan died in Lisburn PSNI station in 2015
David McGowan died in Lisburn PSNI station in 2015 David McGowan died in Lisburn PSNI station in 2015

THE trial of a PSNI sergeant facing charges relating to the death of a man in custody is to get underway on Friday.

A Belfast Crown Court jury of seven men and five women were chosen to try the case of Brian McKenna facing charges arising out of the death of a 29-year-old man in May 2014.

No details surrounding the death of David McGowan were given during the jury selection, however Belfast Recorder Judge David McFarland revealed he died while in the police custody suite in Lisburn PSNI station.

The trial is due to begin on Friday and last at least a month.

The jury panel was told it would be hearing evidence from Alexander McAllister, a former prison officer who at the time worked as a civilian detention officer at Lisburn PSNI station.

In addition Judge McFarland informed the panel that the case involved "three instituations - the PSNI, the Prison Service and the Police Ombudsman's Office who carried out the investigation".

Before releasing them, the recorder warned jurors not to discuss the case with anyone - including family members - and also instructed them that it would be "entirely wrong" for any of them to conduct any internet searches about the case.