Man accused of girl’s murder fails to appear in court as van breaks down

A MAN accused of murdering a missing schoolgirl failed to appear in court yesterday after a prison van he was to travel in broke down.

Robert Howard, 60, is charged with murdering 15-year-old Arlene Arkinson, who went missing as she returned from a disco in Co Donegal nine years ago.

Howard, originally from Co Laois but with an address at Belmarsh Prison in London, was due to appear before Strabane Magistrates Court on further charges connected to the disappearance of the Co Tyrone teenager. He pleaded not guilty at an earlier court appearance.