SHOCKING | 

Couple convicted of savage Pat Ward killing appear in court ahead of sentencing

Niall Cox (28) murdered Mr Ward, while his partner Karen Marie McDonald (37) was found guilty of manslaughter

Today at 18:05

A Co Tyrone couple convicted for the savage killing of father-of-four Pat Ward have appeared together in court for a pre-sentencing hearing.

Niall Cox (28) from McCrea Park in Clogher murdered Mr Ward on 9 February 2019, while his partner Karen Marie McDonald (37) of the same address was found guilty of manslaughter, during a two week trial at Dungannon Crown Court earlier this year.

Today was the first time the pair have appeared in court together for some considerable time.

Separated by custody staff, neither looked at each other throughout the hearing.

Seated directly behind them in the public gallery were Mr Ward’s wife and parents, who have attended every court hearing throughout the case.

Cox initially denied murder but later changed his plea, while McDonald was convicted of manslaughter at trial.

Their victim’s lifeless, half-naked body was discovered in an alleyway by a couple walking to work.

CCTV captured Cox dragging Mr Ward by his arms from the home he shared with McDonald where the brutal attack took place, before abandoning him in the alleyway.

Pathologist Professor Jack Crane said Mr Ward was “beaten, kicked, stabbed and struck a number of times to the head with a heavy, blunt elongated object”.

He added that “extensive blood loss, combined with head and chest injuries were responsible for rapid but not immediate death”.

A search of the couple’s home found significant areas of blood in just about every room, and there was evidence of a clean-up.

At trial McDonald insisted she had no role in the attack nor in cleaning up the bloodied scene, instead contending she acted under duress due to fear of Cox.

She claimed a fight broke out when Mr Ward attempted to kiss her which Cox observed and “grossly overreacted”.

Defence counsel for Cox said: “This was a catastrophe for all involved, particularly the deceased’s family.

“My client expresses sincere remorse – not manufactured or contrived – but genuine.”

He said from his mid-teens Cox “got in with a bad crowd”.

“Drugs became prevalent and he associated with negative influences … he struck up a relationship with the co-accused and eventually moved in with her,” the lawyer said.

It was accepted there were weapons in the house because “people were looking for him and he had a paranoia, with good reason”.

On the day of the murder, Cox claimed the victim grabbed McDonalds buttock.

He “became aware she was giving him dirty looks and felt compelled to do something so told Mr Ward to leave”.

An argument ensued and the victim allegedly struck Cox then took hold of a pickaxe handle, which he and McDonald managed to wrestle from him.

Cox accepts he then struck the victim with this, knocking him out.

They took him to the bathroom where he revived and, thinking he may kill them, Cox punched him to the face several times again knocking him unconscious.

It was claimed McDonald told him to get the victim out of the house and together they removed his clothing and took him outside.

“He did not intend to kill Mr Ward … the combination of drink and drugs significantly impaired his thinking,” said the defence.

McDonald’s counsel, meanwhile, stated she accepted the jury’s verdict and is “profoundly sorry”, as she should have done more to help the deceased.

He urged the court to “view this through the prism of the most appalling violence inflicted upon her by Niall Cox in the months before the murder”.

“She is markedly not the person who went into custody. She has been removed from the toxic personal relationships that blighted her,” he said.

The pair will be sentenced on Wednesday.