Newcastle man (41) facing murder rap

A 41 year-old man has appeared in court charged with murdering his elderly neighbour in Newcastle.

Mark William Bready, of Slievenabrock Avenue, appeared at Newtownards Magistrates’ Court on Friday morning.

He is accused of murdering 84 year-old Sean Small between August 19 and August 24.

Standing in the dock in handcuffs and dressed in a grey sweatshirt, he confirmed he understood the charge against him.

An investigating officer said she could connect him to the charge.

No bail application was made and Bready was remanded in custody to appear at Downpatrick Magistrates’ Court on September 25.

District Judge Amanda Brady agreed to an assessment of Bready’s mental health being carried out following an application from his solicitor.

Sean Small’s body was found outside his home late on Sunday night, August 24, after what police described as a “brutal and sustained attack”.

He had recently released from prison after serving a sentence for sexual offences.

In 2022, Small pleaded guilty to 10 sexual offences against a woman and a teenage girl.

He was sentenced to three years in prison followed by three years of licensed supervision.