Murderer to give evidence at death inquest

A convicted murderer in jail in England is to be called to give evidence at the inquest into the death of a Co Tyrone teenager he was acquitted of murdering, a coroner ruled today.

Serial sex offender and child abuser, Robert Lesarian Howard is serving a life sentence for the murder of 15-year-old schoolgirl Hannah Williams, whose body was found by channel tunnel workmen near Northfleet, Kent, a year after she disappeared in 2001.

Unaware of the conviction – and his 40-year history of sex offences – a jury acquitted Howard in 2005 of the murder of schoolgirl, Arlene Arkinson.

The 15-year-old from Castlederg vanished after a night out with Howard and others in 1994. Despite extensive searches, her body has never been found.

Howard was the last person to see Arlene alive and police are not looking for anyone else in connection with her murder.

Her sister, Kathleen Arkinson, welcomed coroner John Leckey’s decision to call Howard as a witness when he held a preliminary hearing in Londonderry.

Speaking afterwards, Ms Arkinson said: “It is brilliant news that Robert Howard is going to be called to the inquest. We are very, very happy about it.

“I want to appeal directly to Howard – when he goes in to the witness box to say where Arlene is. This could be our last chance. We want her back. We want closure.

“I would also appeal to the (PSNI) to go back to England and ask Robert Howard to give us Arlene’s remains. Please anybody who knows what happened that night, come forward and help us get Arlene’s remains back.”

Kathleen, and her sister Paula, attended the short hearing while their father, William, waited in a car outside the courthouse.

The full inquest is not expected to be heard until well into next year once the police ombudsman has produced a report of their investigation into a complaint by the Arkinson family over the police handling of the murder investigation.

Mr Leckey, the senior Northern Coroner, said he would be writing to the police ombudsman seeking a copy of the report. He would also want transcripts from the trial and police files.

During the hearing, Mr Leckey explained that under coroner’s rules it was not necessary for a body to have been found for an inquest to take place, provided he was satisfied that death had occurred. He said he was so satisfied and also that Howard should be called to give evidence.

“He is a compellable witness,” he said, after an application for his attendance by barrister, Ivan McAteer, who appeared on behalf of the Arkinson family.

Neither Mr Leckey or Mr McAteer appeared certain whether Howard would leave himself open to a fresh prosecution should he suddenly admit to the murder during the inquest.

Mr McAteer told the coroner: “There have been cases where the double jeopardy rule has been done away with.”

The coroner said Howard may want to be legally represented at the hearing.

However he said under coroners’ rules: “No witness at an inquest shall be required to incriminate themselves.”

The coroner indicated he would organise a further preliminary hearing once he was in possession of the ombudsman’s report and had studied it and other documentation.