A 21-year-old salesman was charged today with murdering a former Scottish motorcycle champion who died after being attacked in Northern Ireland last weekend.
Mr Paul Raymond Baird, from Beechgrove, Lisburn, Co Antrim, was remanded in custody accused of murdering Mr James Silver (49), a native of Peterculter, near Aberdeen, who had been living at Belfast Road, Ballynure, Co Antrim, since last October.
Det Inspector James Templeton told Belfast Magistrates Court that Mr Baird replied "no" when charged at Antrim police station.
"I believe I can connect him with the charge," the inspector added.
Defence solicitor Mr Seamus Leonard said on behalf of his client he wanted to express his deep regret at his involvement in the incident, the full extent of which had still to be established.
Mr Leonard said he wished to put on record that forensic examinations on behalf of the police and the defence had established that Mr Silver did not die from stab wounds as had been originally claimed but as a result of a blunt trauma injury to the head.
It is understood that Mr Silver had recently become friendly with the defendant's mother and was with her in her home at Mossvale Park, Ballyclare, Co Antrim, when he was attacked in the early hours of Sunday.
He suffered a serious head injury and staggered out of the house to a grassy area at Hawthorn Way, where his body was found.
Police later recovered a metal candlestick and two knives allegedly used in the assault.
Mr Baird did not speak during the brief hearing and nodded his head when the court clerk asked if he understood the charge.
He was remanded in custody until July 22nd.