Man denies murder charge

A man has appeared in court charged with murdering another man found bleeding to death in a Belfast street last October.

Martin Gavin, a 26-year-old unemployed tree surgeon from Glen Road Heights in west Belfast, was arrested by Northern Ireland police officers in Sheffield on Sunday.

He is accused of murdering Thomas Maughan. Mr Maughan, 33, was found lying by railings outside Methodist College in south Belfast in the early hours of 13 October.

Bleeding from a head wound, he was taken to the city's Royal Victoria Hospital, but never regained consciousness. He died five days later.

Response

When charged, the accused replied: "Definitely not guilty. I loved him like a brother. I'm very sorry he's dead, I definitely didn't assault him."

Detective Inspector Jeff Smyth said he believed he could connect the accused to the charge.

In response to questions from Mr Gavin's solicitor, the officer confirmed Mr Gavin had been arrested immediately after the death, but was released unconditionally.

He also confirmed that after the first arrest, and again on Sunday, Mr Gavin denied assaulting Mr Maughan.