A Co Antrim man has been handed a life sentence after he admitted the murder of Roy Reynolds last year.
Michael Campbell (34), formerly of East Way in Rathcoole, had previously pleaded not guilty at an arraignment hearing in April of this year to murdering the 54-year-old.
At Belfast Crown Court on Thursday, solicitor advocate Gerard McNamara told Mr Justice O’Hara that he had an application for Campbell to be re-arraigned on the murder charge. When the charge was put to him that he murdered Mr Reynolds on a date unknown between March 26 and 29 2022, Campbell replied guilty.
Mr Justice O’Hara told the court: “In light of the fact that Mr Campbell has now pleaded guilty to the murder of Mr Reynolds in March last year, I am imposing on him a life sentence.
A tariff hearing will take place in February next year.
Campbell had previously pleaded guilty to a charge of attempting to prevent the lawful and decent burial of Mr Reynolds.
No details were given about the circumstances surrounding the murder, but a previous bail court hearing was told that the body of Mr Reynolds was found in a Co Antrim reservoir.
A High Court judge heard Mr Reynolds sustained multiple fractures and stab wounds at Campbell’s home.
Mr Reynolds’ partially submerged remains were discovered at North Woodburn Reservoir, near Carrickfergus, on March 28, 2022.