Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
Panic buttons installed in murder accused’s home
A MAN charged with the murder of a young father is under threat, the High Court heard today.
Panic buttons have been installed at the property where Lee Smyth is living as part of increased security measures, prosecutors disclosed.
The 21-year-old, from the Dunmurry, South Belfast, is one of three people charged with murdering 20-year-old Christopher Meli 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 “flouting” conditions by failing to sign with police on time. He also did not come to the door when officers called at that address. Crown lawyer Kate Mckay said Smyth subsequently explained he was on sleeping tablets and had slept through attempts to rouse him.
The court then heard two specific threat messages were delivered to Smyth last month.
Mrs Mckay said: “Police are taking these seriously and as a result have installed panic buttons in the [bail] home of the applicant. They have increased police patrols in the area and reinforced the security at the house.”
Smyth is one of number of people facing charges related to Mr Meli’s death. Detectives believe up to 20 people were involved in a number of confrontations that led to the victim suffering fatal head injuries in the Twinbrook estate.