Man charged with pensioner murder

A County Antrim man has denied murdering a pensioner in Belfast 20 years ago.

A lawyer for William James Stevenson, 43, of Coast Road, Ballygally, said the case depended on DNA evidence and he would seek reports into the findings.

The court heard that the body of 66-year-old Elizabeth Smyth was found in her flat in the Finaghy area of the city in October 1988.

The victim had been beaten to death. Mr Stevenson was released on bail.