Man remanded over brother-in-law's murder
Relatives of a man brutally murdered four years ago screamed abuse at the chief suspect as he appeared in court today.
Mark Haugh, aged 35, is accused of killing his brother-in-law, Patrick Crane, whose blood-spattered body was found in Downpatrick, Co Down in March, 2000.
Haugh, of no fixed address, was arrested in Staines in England and brought back to Northern Ireland during a joint operation involving police on both sides of the Irish Sea.
Following questioning by detectives, he was charged with murdering Mr Crane, who was discovered with 17 stab wounds, serious head injuries and a slashed throat.
Police lined a packed Downpatrick Magistrates courtroom today as he was brought in.
The unemployed man has vowed to clear his name, the court heard.
When charged, he replied: âI have responded to all allegations put to me in interview. I didnât murder Patrick Crane and I intend to prove my innocence.â
But as he was taken from the dock after being remanded in custody until August 19, family members of the victim had to be held back.
Earlier the senior investigating officer, Detective Inspector Ian Wilson, told how he believed he could connect Haugh with the killing.
But during cross-examination by a defence solicitor the officer confirmed police do not know where Mr Crane was murdered.
He also accepted police have no forensic evidence linking the accused with the offence.
He also rejected claims that the defendant had given detailed reasons as to why prosecution witnesses were lying.
âHe gave reasons but I wouldnât accept necessarily the assertion that they were lying,â the officer said.
Defence solicitors have also complained to police about what they allege to be Haughâs unlawful detention in custody, it emerged.
At the time of the murder, police said that although the victim, who was unemployed and from Downpatrick, was known to them, they had not established a motive.
But years later they made their arrest in a joint operation with forces from Surrey and Dorset.
