MESSAGES sent between a murder victim and his married lover were deleted from her phone after he had been lured to his death, it was claimed in the High Court today.
Prosecutors alleged that the sister of two men accused of taking part in the fatal attack on Steven Peck in Ballymoney, Co Antrim took the woman's mobile to wipe evidence of contact.
Details emerged as 29-year-old Lisa Gemmell, of Union Street in the town, was granted bail on a charge of perverting the course of justice.
Mr Peck (33) was discovered with a serious head injury near the Joey Dunlop Leisure Centre on January 3 this year.
Three men, 54-year-old David Austin, of Cherry Gardens in Ballymoney, and brothers Stephen McCook (28)and Brian McCook (24) both from Urbal Road in Devock, were arrested and charged with his attempted murder.
Detectives launched a murder inquiry after he died in hospital a week later.
Police believe Mr Peck had been in a relationship with Austin's wife, and was attacked after attending what he thought was a meeting with her.
Gemmell's mother Easther McCook, also of Urbal Road, faces a charge of assisting offenders by providing a false alibi and interfering with witnesses in connection with the investigation.
She allegedly stopped any attempt to warn the victim by remaining with the woman he had been seeing, a previous court heard.
With Easther McCook released from custody last week, Gemmell mounted a bid to join her on bail.
Crown lawyer Iryna Kennedy told the court Mr Peck was allegedly "lured" to the leisure centre.
While the attack was being carried out Easther McCook remained with the woman he had been seeing "to keep an eye on her", it was claimed.
Gemmell arrived and became involved at a later point, according to the prosecution.
Counsel contended: "She came to the home, took the mobile phone off Mrs Austin and deleted messages sent between her and the deceased."
Mrs Kennedy added: "On examination of Mrs Austin's phone, messages are absent between her and Steven Peck."
Eoghan Devlin, defending, disputed claims that his client's release could impact on potential witnesses in the case.
He argued there was no evidence of any intimidation during the "most febrile period" immediately after the alleged attack.
Mr Justice Humphreys granted bail subject to conditions.
