The murder of Ms Pamela Bennett (21) was "very brutal," a judge said yesterday when he refused to grant bail to a man accused of the killing. The High Court in Belfast was told that Mr John Kerr (26), of Ardmillan Drive, Rathcoole, has denied stabbing Ms Bennett to death in her home at Tynan Drive, Monkstown, Co Antrim.
A prosecution lawyer said her almost naked body was found in her home at 6 p.m. on Sunday, August 31st, 16 hours she had left a pub in a taxi with a man.
The lawyer said Mr Kerr was arrested on September 1st and told police he was the man who left the pub with her. They went to her home and later he left to telephone for a taxi. But he fell asleep and when he returned to the house he found her dead.
"He says the bloodstains found on his clothing were caused when he tried to revive her," said the lawyer. He said Mr Kerr told police that he then left again and got a taxi home.
His explanation for not informing the police was that he thought he would be blamed for the murder.
Mr Kevin Finnegan QC, defending, said it appeared that Ms Bennett and her former boyfriend had a dispute in the 24 hours before her death but, according to the prosecution, that person had a watertight alibi.
Lord Justice McCollum said there was a strong prima-facie case against Mr Kerr.