Teen on guesthouse murder charge

Billy Spence ran the Tara Guesthouse

A 19-year-old man has appeared in court charged with murdering a County Down guesthouse owner last week.

Billy Spence, 68, was found beaten and stabbed at the Tara Guesthouse on the Princetown Road in Bangor.

James William McCoy, with an address at the town's Simon Community hostel on Central Avenue, was remanded in custody for four weeks.

A defence solicitor described the accused as a "vulnerable young man," adding that he had a mental disorder.

The accused was also charged with stealing cash and a mobile phone and with having a knife with intent to steal.

The defence lawyer told Newtownards Magistrates Court he was delaying a planned bail application because of difficulties in finding suitable accommodation given the defendant's condition.

Mr Spence had run the guesthouse in for 18 years. Police said he had died on 30 June and his body was discovered by his partner the following day.