Timothy Walker appeared before Belfast Crown Court today, Tuesday, 11th March for the murder of Denis Shearer in Bangor in 2021.
A man has been told he will served a minimum tariff of 15 years for the murder of Denis Shearer (25) in his home in Bangor in February 2021.
Timothy Walker, 43, was sentenced to life imprisonment in December 2024 after admitting the murder of Mr Shearer, attacking him in his bed as he slept.
Meanwhile, Natalie Brannigan, 42, admitted a charge of assisting offenders, she was sentenced to two years in prison suspended for two years.
Walker fled from the scene heading to north Belfast, setting fire to his vehicle in an attempt to destroy evidence. Natalie Brannigan assisted Walker after the attack by driving to north Belfast to pick him up from the scene of the vehicle fire before driving to Newtownards in an attempt to avoid arrest.
Detective Chief Inspector Neil McGuinness from the Police Service of Northern Ireland’s Major Investigation Team said: “Timothy Walker broke into Denis Shearer’s home in the early hours of February 28th, 2021. He attacked Denis as he lay defenceless in his bed, striking him repeatedly about the head with a weapon he brought to the family home.
“Mr Shearer was taken to hospital, where he sadly died nine days later in hospital. He never regained consciousness after the callous attack.
"When Timothy Walker sought to destroy evidence by burning his car in North Belfast he called upon the assistance of his partner Natalie Brannigan to ferry him from the scene.
“Denis’ foster parents had been asleep in the home and they found him bleeding and unconscious and contacted police.
"His foster father has since passed away and his foster mother has been left heartbroken and traumatised as a result of Timothy Walkers brutality within their home robbing them of a beloved son.
"Denis' birth mother has also suffered the devastating effects of Timothy Walkers violence and her loss is profoundly felt.
“There is absolutely no doubt that this was the senseless loss of a young life.
“My thoughts remain with Dennis’ loved ones, and I can only hope that today's sentencing will bring them some comfort as they continue to try to come to terms with their grief.”
