Man charged with murdering ex-prisoner Stanley Close

A man has appeared in court charged with murdering an ex-prisoner in Belfast 23 years ago.

Stanley Close, 65, was strangled to death in a flat at Canton Court in east Belfast in August 1986.

He had previously served 10 years in jail for shooting a man dead at a bar in south Belfast in July 1971.

Appearing at Belfast Magistrates Court on Saturday was David Mayberry Wallace, 50, originally from NI, but whose address was given as Shaw Street, Bury.

He was arrested in England on Tuesday following a joint operation between the PSNI and Manchester police.

The accused spoke to confirm that he understood the charge.

A detective sergeant told the court that he could connect him to the charge.

He also confirmed the accused knew the deceased, but the police had yet to establish a motive for the killing.

The court was told Mr Wallace made no admissions during police interviews, but that his blood was found in the victim's flat.

Mr Wallace was remanded in custody until 21 May.

The victim, Mr Close, had been convicted of manslaughter over the 1971 shooting of Kevin Kielty at a bar on the Ormeau Road.