³ÉÈËÂÛ̳

A 39-year-old man has appeared in court accused of the murder of Paul Rowlands in Portrush on Sunday night.

Ballymena Magistrates Court heard that Jason Robert Murray of no fixed abode had been in a relationship with 46-year-old father-of-five Mr Rowlands.

The body of Mr Rowlands, from Cambridge, England, was found between two parked cars at Bath Terrace in the County Antrim time.

He had sustained injuries including a laceration to the left temple.

A detective constable told the court on Thursday that Mr Rowlands is believed to have been injured some time between 23:00 BST and midnight.

The detective said that witnesses had seen the two men arguing on the evening of Mr Rowland's death.

The ambulance service was called the following morning at 02:13 BST but 40 minutes later it was confirmed that Mr Rowlands had died.

Mr Murray was arrested the following evening.

The court heard that the two men's routine involved drinking, fishing and going on amusement rides.

The detective said that the accused had admitted slapping Mr Rowlands and that they had slapped each other. He later changed the word slaps to punches.

He added that it was believed the accused left the scene, went to a bar and played three or four games of pool during which a witness claims to have heard him mutter the words: "I am a hitman, I've just killed somebody."

The detective said Mr Murray then returned to his tent, but had no concerns about Mr Rowlands not returning believing that it was "simply a lover's tiff".

On the Monday it is claimed that Mr Murray commenced his routine of drinking and fishing before being arrested that evening.

Objecting to bail, the detective constable said Mr Murray had 33 previous convictions in Northern Ireland and 39 "across the water" in Great Britain.

He said they were "nearly all of domestic issues with an ex-female partner".

The detective also said there were fears that if Mr Murray was granted bail, he could reoffend, interfere with witnesses, refuse to answer bail and be a flight risk.

Mr Murray's defence team argued he had never been convicted for interfering with witnesses and he had not fled from Portrush after Mr Rowlands' death.

At this point the judge adjourned the hearing due to a disturbance in the background of the detective's video link.

The case is due to be heard again on Friday morning.