A 21-year-old man has been charged with murdering his mother in Northern Ireland a week after his release from prison.
Nathan Simpson of east Belfast appeared at Belfast magistrates court on Monday charged with the murder of Rachel Simpson, 43, on 13 September. No plea was entered.
The victim’s body was discovered in the garage of a property in east Belfast after police were called. When asked in a brief hearing if he understood the allegations against him, Simpson, in handcuffs and a grey custody tracksuit, said: “Yes, your honour.”
His defence solicitor, Chris McCann, did not seek bail due to the lack of any suitable address. “This case highlights a broader issue in relation to accommodation being available for prisoners [after] custody,” he told the court. “Mr Simpson had been released from prison seven days before [this incident].”
The lawyer said authorities had months to prepare for his release but efforts to locate alternative accommodation had “proved fruitless”. Simpson was remanded in custody until 14 October for the next hearing.