A man has been sentenced to 15 years in jail for killing his partner’s cousin by repeatedly striking him in the head up to nine times. Timothy Walker, 43, formerly from Abbey Ring in Holywood and currently residing at HMP Maghaberry, was found guilty of the murder of Denis Shearer in a vicious and prolonged assault. The incident occurred at Shearer’s residence on February 28, 2021, and he succumbed to his injuries nine days later in hospital. According to Mr. Justice O’Hara, the attack was exceptionally brutal and sustained, with Shearer’s injuries initially mistaken for gunshot wounds due to their severity. The court heard that Walker armed himself with a weapon and viciously beat Shearer, leaving blood splattered on the walls and bed. Justice O’Hara emphasized that the simple truth was that Walker drove to Shearer’s home and committed a heinous act that caused long-lasting trauma to those who cared for Denis Shearer. Additionally, Natalie Brannigan, 42, from The Green in Holywood, received a two-year suspended sentence for admitting to assisting the offenders involved in the crime.
