Five men were sentenced at Belfast Crown Court today, Wednesday 19th March, for the murder of 45 year old Ian Ogle, who was attacked in east Belfast, in January 2019.

Mark Sewell, 46, was sentenced to life in prison having previously pleaded guilty to murder and must serve a minimum of 17 and a half years before being able to apply for release.

Jonathan Brown, 39, was sentenced to life in prison having previously pleaded guilty to murder and must serve a minimum of 17 and a half years before being able to apply for release.

Glenn Rainey, 38, was found guilty of murder after a non-jury trial and must serve a minimum of 20 years before being eligible to apply for release.

Walter Allen Ervine, 43, was found guilty of murder after a non-jury trial and must serve a minimum of 20 years before being eligible to apply for release.

Robert Spiers, 42, was found guilty of murder after a non-jury trial and must serve a minimum of 20 years before being eligible to apply for release.

In addition to this, Christopher Haire, 55, pled guilty to assisting offenders and has received a two year prison sentence, suspended for three years.

Thomas McCartney, 37, pled guilty to assisting offenders and has received a 12 month prison sentence, suspended for three years.

Jill Brown née Morrison, 42, pled guilty to assisting offenders and has received an 18 month prison sentence, suspended for three years.

Reece Kirkwood, 27, pled guilty to withholding information concerning an arrestable offence and has received a two year prison sentence, suspended for three years.

Detective Inspector Michelle Griffin, said: “First and foremost, my thoughts today are with the family of Ian Ogle who are still very much coming to terms with the tragic loss of their beloved husband and father.

“This was a senseless, brutal crime by a group of people who fractured Ian’s skull and stabbed him 11 times in the back before fleeing and leaving him to die on the street. 

“It is distressing to think that such a large group of people could have been complicit in such an orchestrated, targeted crime.

“This has been widely condemned by the local community, who remain disgusted by the actions of these individuals and I know that the Ogle family have been deeply appreciative of the ongoing support they have felt from people in their local area.

“Today, thanks to our dedicated investigation team and working in partnership with colleagues in the Public Prosecution Service, these defendants have been held accountable for their actions that night.

 “Today’s sentencings signify the end of the judicial process however I am very mindful that Ian’s family live with the pain and anguish of what happened to him every single day. My thoughts remain firmly with them,” added Detective Inspector Griffin.