Man remanded on double murder in North

The mother and sister of murdered teenager Andrew Robb outside Armagh Magistrates Court today. Paul Faith/PA

The mother and sister of murdered teenager Andrew Robb outside Armagh Magistrates Court today. Paul Faith/PA

A man (25) appeared in court in Northern Ireland today charged for the second time with the murders of two teenagers five years ago.

Steven Leslie Brown was remanded in custody at Armagh Magistrates Court charged with the murders of Andrew Robb (19) and David McIlwaine (18) in February 2000.

The teenagers were stabbed to death after leaving a nightclub at Tandragee in the county and being abducted by a number of men. Their bodies were dumped at the side of a country road. They had been repeatedly stabbed and had their throats cut.

Mr Brown, of Castle Place, Castlecaufield, Co Tyrone, was charged with the murders soon afterwards.

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However, the charges were withdrawn and the case never went to trial. He appeared in court today and, surrounded by armed police, confirm his name.

Detective chief inspector Tim Hanley told the court that when he charged Mr Brown last night, he replied: "Not guilty" to each charge.

However, he told the court he could connect the accused to the charges. Mr Brown was remanded in custody until December 6th to reappear at the same court by video link.

His lawyer, Richard Monteith, told the court his client would be seeking bail in the High Court, recalling that he had done the same when he faced the same charges five years ago.

Mr Brown was arrested on Monday, days after a £10,000 reward was offered during a nationwide TV appeal for fresh information on the Crimewatch UK programme.