Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
FACE TO FACE WITH MURDER ACCUSED
Girl sobs as teen charged with her mum’s death
THE daughter of a woman killed on Christmas Day yesterday faced the man accused of murdering her mum.
And there were chaotic scenes in court as scarred Charlotte Reat, 21, watched as 19-year-old Nathan Ward was charged with killing Jayne Toal Reat.
As a bandaged Ward sat in the dock, Charlotte sobbed: “Why? It’s not fair.” Jayne was just 43 when she died in Lisburn, Co Antrim.
A DISTRAUGHT woman challenged the teenager accused of murdering her mother on Christmas Day amid emotional scenes in court yesterday.
Bloodied and bruised Charlotte Reat, 21, watched from the public gallery as 19-year-old Nathan Ward appeared in the dock with both arms bandaged and in slings.
Chaos erupted as he was charged with the murder of Jayne Toal Reat on Monday.
Friends and relatives of the 43-year-old nurse moved towards the dock of Craigavon Magistrates’ Court in Co Armagh as the defendant was removed following a brief appearance.
He was charged with the murder of Mrs Reat and the attempted murders of Charlotte and his father Joseph Tweedie.
Ward had been escorted into the dock and flanked by security guards as he sat impassively wearing grey sweat pants and sweat top.
He was told by the clerk to stand up to be formally accused of murdering Mrs Reat at a house on Mornington Lane, Lisburn, Co Antrim, on December 25.
A detective inspector told District Judge Rosemary Watters that she could connect Ward to all three charges.
As the accused was being led to the cells, Charlotte’s father Simon Reat rushed to the dock and banged on the glass. He was restrained by police and supporters.
Charlotte, who had stitches above her eyes and cuts to her scalp, also had to be restrained as she shouted out: “Why? Why? Why? It’s not fair. It’s not fair.”
She also tried to reach Ward. Miss Reat wailed as she was held back and comforted by friends and relatives.
One told her: “It’s not worth it Charlotte, love. Please, please, Charlotte, he is not worth it. Come on now please.” Six police officers moved in to try to control the emotionally-charged scene and District Judge Watters ordered the relatives: “Leave my courtroom.”
A distraught Charlotte partially collapsed inside the court and was carried to a private room by her father as their supporters gathered in the court reception.
She was later helped from the court by her father and friends before being driven away.
Ward is due to appear by video link at Lisburn on January 8.