Northern Ireland

Man ordered to stand trial accused of east Belfast murder of Alice Morrow (53)

Alice Morrow (53)
Alice Morrow (53) Alice Morrow (53)

A man has been ordered to stand trial accused of the murder of an east Belfast grandmother.

Standing in the dock of Newtownards Magistrates Court, William Stephen Hutchinson (42) confirmed he was aware of the charge and he had no objection to the preliminary enquiry, the legal process to refer a case to the Crown Court.

Hutchinson, from Kilbroney House, Greenway in Belfast, is in custody accused of murdering 53-year-old Alice Morrow on March 10 this year.

Her body was discovered in her flat at Whincroft Way on the Braniel estate.

In court yesterday a PPS lawyer submitted there was a prima facie case against Hutchinson.

He declined the opportunity to comment on the charge or call evidence to the preliminary enquiry.

Remanding Hutchinson back into custody and extending legal aid to allow a senior barrister to be instructed for the defence case, District Judge Mark Hamill ordered him to appear at Belfast Crown Court for his arraignment on January 10.