Northern Ireland

Man pleads ‘absolutely not guilty’ to murder of Liam Christie

Liam Christie was shot dead on in Antrim
Liam Christie was shot dead in Antrim

A 59-year old man appeared in court where he pleaded “absolutely not guilty” to murdering Antrim man Liam Christie.

Mr Christie (44) was shot and killed in his home on the Ballycraigy Estate in October 2022.

Henry Charles Hayles, from Kansas Avenue in Belfast, appeared at Belfast Crown Court on Friday where he was charged with two offences arising from the fatal gun attack.

Alan Lewis - PhotopressBelfast.co.uk        23-2-2024
Henry Charles Hayles at Belfast Crown Court.where he is charged with the murder of Liam Christie in Antrim in October 2022.
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Henry Charles Hayles at a previous court hearing (Alan Lewis - Photopress Belfast/Photopress Belfast)

He was firstly charged that on October 20, 2022 he murdered Liam Christie and when asked how he pleaded, Hayles replied “absolutely not guilty.”

The accused was also charged that on dates between October 18 and 21, 2022 he possessed a handgun with intent to endanger life or to enable another person to endanger life.

When this offence was put to Hayles, he again replied “absolutely not guilty.”

Two other men have also been charged with murdering Mr Christie.

Mr Justice O’Hara said he would review the case against all three accused on June 14.