Four accused of father-of-three’s murder

Four men today appeared before magistrates accused of murdering a man who was found beaten to death.

A number of people were removed from the public gallery at Belfast Magistrates Court when they shouted abuse at the men charged with killing Kenneth Oslon in the city.

There were shouts when the accused were brought to court number two and police swiftly escorted them outside.

One officer’s hat was tossed across the courtroom during the brief melee and magistrate John Cleary warned that anyone else causing disturbances would be placed in custody "for as long as the courts decide".

Father-of-three Mr Oslon, 43, from Windsor Avenue, was found beaten to death in an entry off Eglantine Avenue on Saturday night. Police believe his body may have lain undetected for at least a day.

In the dock today were brothers Sean and Noel King, Colin David Hanna and Hugh Foster, all charged with Mr Oslon’s murder between August 2 and August 4.

A solicitor for Mr Hanna, a 34-year-old unemployed man of Bradbury Place in Belfast told the court that his client maintained he was "completely innocent" and had had nothing to do with the death whatsoever.

An RUC inspector said he believed he could connect all four to the charge.

He told the court that when charged, unemployed Sean King, 27, of Callanbridge Park, Armagh, replied: "Not guilty."

The inspector said when charged, unemployed Noel King, 23, of Dufferin Avenue, Bangor, allegedly replied: "I didn’t intend to kill or seriously harm him. I’m sorry for his death."

The court was also told that Mr Foster, 36, of no fixed address made no reply.

All four were remanded in custody to appear again by video link on September 3.