Northern Ireland

Chloe Mitchell accused to stand trial in May for murder and attempting to prevent lawful burial

Brandon Rainey is charged with the murder of 21-year-old in June last year

Brandon John Rainey (26) is charged with the murder of Chloe Mitchell
Brandon John Rainey (26) is charged with the murder of Chloe Mitchell
By Paul Higgins

The man accused of killing Chloe Mitchell has been ordered to stand trial for attempting to prevent her lawful burial as well her murder.

Brandon Rainey (26) appearing by videolink from prison on Thursday.

PACEMAKER BELFAST 12/06/2023 A 26-year-old man has appeared in court charged with the murder of 21-year-old Chloe Mitchell in County Antrim. Brandon John Rainey of James Street, Ballymena, was charged with murdering Ms Mitchell between 2 and 5 June. Ms Mitchell was last seen in the County Antrim town on the night of 2 June and into the early hours of 3 June. Copy by Paul Higgins. 07973157553 Pics by Pacemaker. 07774 179 710 Thurs 18 April Õ24 There were emotional scenes in court today (thurs) as Brandon Rainey, already accused of killing Chloe Mitchell was ordered to stand trial for attempting to prevent her lawful burial as well her murder. Appearing by videolink from prison at the townÕs Magistrates Court where ChloeÕs grieving family and friends filled both sides of the public gallery, all wearing ÒJustice for Chloe T-shirts,Ó 26-year-old Rainey confirmed he had received papers and statements for the Preliminary Enquiry and that he was aware of the charges against him. Before any case can be elevated to the Crown Court the prosecution must first establish there is a Prima Facie case against an accused person and that is done through a PE. Rainey, from James Street in Ballymena, is charged with the murder of 21-year-old Chloe on 3 June last year and also that he Òattempted to prevent the lawful and decent burial of a deceased body contrary to Article 3(1) of the Criminal Attempts and Conspiracy (Northern Ireland) Order 1983 and Common LawÓ in an offence alleged to be aggravated by domestic abuse. Today (thurs) is the first time that charge has been laid against Rainey. Ms Mitchell was last seen on CCTV in the early hours of Saturday June 3 in Ballymena town centre and detectives investigating her disappearance launched a murder inquiry after suspected human remains were found in Ballymena.
Friends and family of Ballymena woman Chloe Mitchell marched through to court on Thursday. PICTURE: PACEMAKER

Rainey, from James Street in Ballymena, is charged with the murder of 21-year-old Chloe on June 3 last year and also that he “attempted to prevent the lawful and decent burial of a deceased body”.

Thursday was the first time that charge has been laid against Rainey.

Ms Mitchell was last seen on CCTV in Ballymena town centre and detectives investigating her disappearance launched a murder inquiry after suspected human remains were found.

PACEMAKER BELFAST 12/06/2023 A 26-year-old man has appeared in court charged with the murder of 21-year-old Chloe Mitchell in County Antrim. Brandon John Rainey of James Street, Ballymena, was charged with murdering Ms Mitchell between 2 and 5 June. Ms Mitchell was last seen in the County Antrim town on the night of 2 June and into the early hours of 3 June. Copy by Paul Higgins. 07973157553 Pics by Pacemaker. 07774 179 710 Thurs 18 April Õ24 There were emotional scenes in court today (thurs) as Brandon Rainey, already accused of killing Chloe Mitchell was ordered to stand trial for attempting to prevent her lawful burial as well her murder. Appearing by videolink from prison at the townÕs Magistrates Court where ChloeÕs grieving family and friends filled both sides of the public gallery, all wearing ÒJustice for Chloe T-shirts,Ó 26-year-old Rainey confirmed he had received papers and statements for the Preliminary Enquiry and that he was aware of the charges against him. Before any case can be elevated to the Crown Court the prosecution must first establish there is a Prima Facie case against an accused person and that is done through a PE. Rainey, from James Street in Ballymena, is charged with the murder of 21-year-old Chloe on 3 June last year and also that he Òattempted to prevent the lawful and decent burial of a deceased body contrary to Article 3(1) of the Criminal Attempts and Conspiracy (Northern Ireland) Order 1983 and Common LawÓ in an offence alleged to be aggravated by domestic abuse. Today (thurs) is the first time that charge has been laid against Rainey. Ms Mitchell was last seen on CCTV in the early hours of Saturday June 3 in Ballymena town centre and detectives investigating her disappearance launched a murder inquiry after suspected human remains were found in Ballymena.
Friends and family of Ballymena woman Chloe Mitchell marched through to court on Thursday. PICTURE: PACEMAKER

Forensic officers attended a flat in the James Street area of Ballymena after the property had been cordoned off by police earlier in the week and the discovery came after extensive searches.

During a brief PE, a prosecuting lawyer submitted there was a case to answer against Rainey and defence counsel Neil Moore told the court he had no contrary submissions.

Remanding Rainey back into custody, DJ Broderick returned the case to Laganside Crown Court for trial and extending legal aid to allow a senior defence barrister to be instructed, scheduled the arraignment to be heard on May 24.