Man charged with murder in Comber

Man charged with murder in Comber

15 April 2015

A COMBER man has appeared in court charged with murdering Kyle Neil, whose body was found in the boot of a car at the weekend.

Mr Neil died after being stabbed at a barbecue in Comber and his body was found in the car in Belfast on Sunday following a phone call to police.

Wesley Harry Vance, of Mill Street, appeared before Newtownards Court yesterday afternoon when a defence lawyer said he had admitted his part in the alleged knife attack during police interviews but claimed he had acted in self-defence.

The lawyer described the defendant as a “friend” of Mr Neil, but said he had been “in fear of his own life” during the attack.

When questioned about why Mr Neil’s body was taken in a car from Comber to Belfast, the accused told police he was in “a frenzied state of mind.”

“The defendant made full, frank and clear statements to police and made it abundantly clear he knew the victim,” the lawyer said.

“This will hang like the sword of Damocles for the rest of his life.”

A police officer said he could connect the accused to the crime.

No application for bail was made and Vance will appear in court again on May 8.

A 25-year-old woman is still being questioned by police, who have appealed for witnesses in the Comber area to come forward to help with the investigation into Mr Neil’s death.

They are hoping to talk to anyone who saw the deceased in the town on Saturday or who saw a blue Ford Fiesta car in Comber or en route to the Island Hill tourist amenity in the early hours of Sunday morning to come forward.

They have confirmed Mr Neil, a father of a three-year-old daughter, had been at a party at Church Gate apartments at Mill Street in the town on Saturday night before being stabbed.

Police chief inspector John McVea confirmed that a knife was used in the attack, which is not being linked to paramilitary activity.

“I am appealing for information about Mr Neil’s movements on Saturday, and the movements of the blue Ford Fiesta car in which his body was found, between the hours of 2am and 7am on Sunday morning,” he said.

Mr Neil’s twin brother Irwin has paid an emotional online tribute to his lost brother.

“RIP bro. I love you with all my heart,” he wrote. “Will always love you bro, you were my best friend, my brother and my rock.”