Man charged with murder of young father has panic buttons installed after threat

A man charged with the murder of a young father beaten to death in west Belfast is under threat, the High Court has heard.

Panic buttons have been installed at the property where 21-year-old Lee Smyth is living as part of increased security measures, prosecutors disclosed.

Smyth, originally from the Dunmurry area of the city, is one of three people charged with murdering Christopher Meli (20) in December 2015.

He was re-released on bail last month to an address outside Belfast which cannot be reported.

But at a review yesterday Mr Justice Maguire was told Smyth has since been “flaunting” conditions by failing to sign with police on time.

The court heard two specific threat messages were delivered to Smyth last month.

“Police are taking these seriously and as a result have installed panic buttons in the (bail) home of the applicant,” Crown lawyer Kate McKay said.

Smyth is one of number of people currently facing charges related to Mr Meli’s death.

Detectives believe up to 20 people were involved in a number of violent confrontations that led to the victim suffering fatal head injuries at Doc’s Lane in the Twinbrook estate.

Smyth, who denies the murder charge against him, went to police later that day to give an account of his alleged involvement in the wider incident.

He claimed to have exchanged blows with Mr Meli in a “fair fight”, a judge heard previously.

He spent nearly two years in custody before being granted bail.

Defence barrister Tom McCreanor argued that Smyth has complied with electronic tagging and curfew conditions.

With Smyth not present for the review, Mr Justice Maguire adjourned the hearing.