Homeless man (37) charged with Belfast pensioner's murder

A homeless man was charged yesterday with murdering pensioner James Connor, who died in hospital last week after he was assaulted…

A homeless man was charged yesterday with murdering pensioner James Connor, who died in hospital last week after he was assaulted in Belfast city centre.

In the dock at Belfast Magistrates Court was Stephen Paul McAree (37), of no fixed address.

He was charged with murdering 67-year-old Mr Connor, who was attacked at Wilson Court off Ann Street last Wednesday afternoon. Mr McAree was also charged with the robbery of a wallet belonging to 85-year-old John McGovern just minutes after the assault on Mr Connor.

Det Sgt Alan Smyth said he believed he could connect Mr McAree to both charges.

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Mr McAree, who did not speak during the two-minute hearing, was remanded in custody to appear via video link on May 22nd.