THE PARENTS of a west Belfast man beaten to death more than two years ago were placed in a cell in court yesterday for what the judge called “wilful disruption” of the proceedings.
They also received a fine of £100 for their misconduct.
The body of 20-year-old Christopher Melu was discovered on a pathway in Twinbrook in the early hours of Saturday, December 12.
The accused Lee Smyth appeared at Craigavon Magistrates Court via video-link to successfully apply for bail.
During the 21-year-old’s bail application, the victim's parents Christopher and Vanessa initially stood at the side of the public seating area.
When Smyth was granted bail, Mr Meli’s parents shouted a number of remarks towards him.
They both left the courtroom but Judge Kelly requested that they be brought back and taken down to the cells, asking for one of the local solicitors to go down and consult with them.
Around 40 minutes later the couple were brought from the cells back into the dock.
District Judge Bernie Kelly said that “foul and abusive language” had been used and that “nobody should have to listen to an abusive tirade”.
The judge also warned them that the case was going to take a while and if they continued to behave in that manner they would end up in custody.
Both were fined £100 each and ordered to pay a £15 offender’s levy.
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