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Man Denies Brutal Murder of Elderly Neighbor
2 Nov
Summary
- A man faces a murder charge for an attack on his elderly neighbor.
- The victim, an 84-year-old sex offender, was found dead in August 2025.
- The trial is scheduled to commence in June 2027.
Mark William Bready, 42, has pleaded not guilty to the murder of his 84-year-old neighbor, Sean Small. Small was discovered deceased outside his home on Slievenabrock Avenue in Newcastle, County Down, on August 24, 2025. The Northern Ireland police described the victim's death as resulting from a "brutal and sustained attack." Bready, also residing on Slievenabrock Avenue, appeared at Belfast Crown Court on Monday and denied the murder charge, which is alleged to have occurred between August 18 and 25, 2025. A defense barrister indicated that expert reports are being prepared for the trial. Mr. Justice Fowler has set the two-week trial to commence on June 14, 2027, with a case review scheduled for December 4. Bready was remanded into custody as no bail application was made. The victim, Sean Small, had recently been released from prison after serving a sentence for sexual offenses.
