A forty-six-year-old man charged with the murder of missing woman Charlotte Murray, has been refused bail at Dungannon Magistrates Court.
Originally from Omagh, but living in Moy, Ms Murray, who was 34 at the time, was reported missing by her family in 2013.
John Patrick Miller, a chef from Redford Park, Dungannon is charged with murdering his former partner between October 31 and November 1, 2012.
Police believe Ms Murray was murdered after Miller was sent explicit images of her with another man, and within hours was attempting to sell her engagement ring.
Her body has never been found.
The court was told that Miller and Ms Murray were in a relationship from around 2011 and working and living on Lusty Beg island.
They later moved to Roxborough Heights, Moy and both began work in the Cohannon Inn. They became engaged in February 2012.
A detective told he court that intimate images of Ms Murray were emailed to Miller around October 31 to November 1.
At around 5.15am on November 1, a post appeared on Charlotte’s Facebook account, saying, “I’m so p***ed off with life. I have to go away for a while.”
This was later found to have been posted from a different internet address, but registered at Ms Murray’s home.
A text is sent from her mobile phone to her new employers to say she will not be coming in.
Miller then contacts the Cohannon Inn and says Charlotte will not be returning to work.
Later that day a friend receives a text from Charlotte’s phone which stated: “I’m going away for a while.”
Police believe the phone at this time was in Miller’s possession.
The detective added: “A former girlfriend of Miller’s whom we are describing as Witness B has stated theirs was an abusive relationship. She claims she was knocked backwards down a flight of stairs.”
The detective said "traces of Charlotte’s blood were found in the bathroom of the Roxborough Heights house. It was around the waste water pipe and spatters were also located on the wall behind the toilet. All we know is that it is Charlotte’s blood. We cannot be sure what else happened in that bathroom. Searches are ongoing for her remains as we speak."
Defence lawyer Peter Corrigan said: "The evidence is based on pure suspicion, conjecture and the comments of an ex-partner. There is no tangible evidence. The detective has submitted to this court that my client was a violent individual and described the evidence of Witness B, an ex-partner. I can inform the court some of my client’s ex-girlfriends are here in court and are willing to state he is not a violent man.”
Described as a head chef in the Cohannon Inn, the defence said his client had worked in many top restaurant and is an all-Ireland champion canoeist.
Deputy District Judge Bonita Boyd refused bail. Miller is to appear again by video-link later this month.
