Three Remanded In Custody Over Murder Of Christopher Meli

Three people have been remanded in custody charged with the murder of Christopher Meli, 20, in west Belfast.

Mr Meli, the father of a two-year-old boy, was attacked in the Glenavy Close area in Twinbrook, in the early hours of Saturday morning.

Two 18-year-old men and a 16-year-old youth appeared before Lisburn Magistrates' Court today, 15 December.

Mr Meli's body was discovered in Doc's Lane.

Senior Investigating Officer, Detective Chief Inspector Richard Campbell said: "A number of witnesses have come forward and a picture is starting to emerge of what happened late on Friday night, running into early Saturday morning. At this stage I believe that Christopher was one of a group of four people, when he was set upon by a number of individuals from a much larger group.

"Some of those people who were in that larger group may not have been involved in the attack on Christopher, nor may they have anticipated the outcome of the attack. Police are working to establish exactly what happened and who was involved.

"It is only a matter of time before detectives identify everyone who was there and I am appealing for those people to come forward now and co-operate with this investigation by telling police what they saw. Come to us before we come to you.

"Anyone who was involved in the attack on Christopher should understand that they will be identified and it is in their interests to come forward now, voluntarily and with a solicitor if necessary, so that their role can be properly established."

(CD)