05/07/2002

Man accused of murder released on bail

The man who is accused of murdering a former Scottish motorcyclist champion has been released on bail today at Belfast High Court.

Paul Raymond Baird, 21 from Beechgrove in Lisburn, appeared before the High Court charged with the murder of 49-year-old John James Silver from Aberdeen in Scotland.

Mr Silver was found stabbed and lying on the ground in the Mossvale Park area of Ballyclare nearly two weeks ago. However the post mortem examination revealed he died as a result of blunt trauma to the head.

The court heard that Mr Baird had returned from a wedding in the early hours of Sunday June 23 and seen Mr Silver and his mother sitting together on a sofa watching television. He thought his mother was being taken advantage of and attacked Mr Silver.

Mr Baird was released on bail of £11,000 and ordered to stay off alcohol and seek medical treatment.

(AMcE)


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