An 85 year old man has been charged with the murder of a woman (81) in Co Down.
Jim Moore appeared in Newtownards Magistrates’ Court today charged with the murder of Patricia ‘Patsy’ Aust whose body was discovered in a house in the Hawthorne Court area of Bangor on Sunday.
Mr Moore was remanded in custody after a brief appearance before District Judge Francis Rafferty. He confirmed his name and said that he understood the charge against him.
No application for bail was made, and Mr Moore was remanded in custody until the next hearing on June 26th.
Last week a PSNI spokesperson said that officers responded to a report of the death of a woman in a house, just off the Clandeboye Road, on the evening of Sunday 2 June.
“Sadly, the lady, whom we can now name as Patricia Aust, was pronounced dead at the scene,” the PSNI said.
“Patricia, also known as Patsy, was 81 years old. My thoughts, and that of my team, are first and foremost with her loved ones at this distressing time.”
“A murder investigation is underway and a man, aged 85, arrested on suspicion of murder remains in custody at this time.
A church minister told UTV the community has been left in shock by the news.
Rev Mark Johnston, of St Andrew’s Presbyterian Church, said people are “struggling to get our heads around what’s unfolding at the minute”.
He said: “This is a community that’s really tight-knit, it’s a wonderful part of Bangor, and the family is much loved and cared for by all of us in this local community.
“We’re all struggling to get our heads around what’s unfolding at the minute.
“Our thoughts and our deep prayers are with the whole family, the local neighbourhood and the wide community at this really difficult time.”