Man Jailed For Life For Bangor Murder

Timothy Walker, 43, has been sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum tariff of 15 years for the murder of 25-year-old Denis Shearer in Bangor in February 2021. The sentencing took place at Belfast Crown Court on Tuesday, 11th March.

Walker admitted to murdering Mr. Shearer by attacking him in his bed as he slept. The attack occurred at Mr. Shearer's home.

Separately, Natalie Brannigan, 42, who admitted to assisting an offender, received a two-year prison sentence, suspended for two years.

Following the attack, Walker fled to north Belfast and set his vehicle on fire in an attempt to destroy evidence. Brannigan then drove to north Belfast to pick him up from the scene of the vehicle fire and drove him to Newtownards, attempting to evade arrest. Detective Chief Inspector Neil McGuinness from the Police Service of Northern Ireland's Major Investigation Team said: "Timothy Walker broke into Denis Shearer's home in the early hours of February 28th, 2021. He attacked Denis as he lay defenceless in his bed, striking him repeatedly about the head with a weapon he brought to the family home. Mr Shearer was taken to hospital, where he sadly died nine days later in hospital. He never regained consciousness after the callous attack."

He added: "When Timothy Walker sought to destroy evidence by burning his car in North Belfast he called upon the assistance of his partner Natalie Brannigan to ferry him from the scene."

Mr. Shearer's foster parents, who were asleep in the home at the time of the attack, discovered him unconscious and bleeding. His foster father has since passed away, leaving his foster mother "heartbroken and traumatised."

Detective Chief Inspector McGuinness also said: "Denis' birth mother has also suffered the devastating effects of Timothy Walkers violence and her loss is profoundly felt. There is absolutely no doubt that this was the senseless loss of a young life. My thoughts remain with Dennis' loved ones, and I can only hope that today's sentencing will bring them some comfort as they continue to try to come to terms with their grief."