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Timothy Walker (43) was sentenced to life imprisonment in December 2024 after admitting the murder of Denis Shearer (25) in his home in Bangor on 28 February 2021. In Belfast Crown Court today, he was told he will serve a minimum tariff of 15 years.
Natalie Brannigan (42) pleaded guilty to a charge of assisting offenders as on the night of the assault, she picked up Timothy Walker in her car, knowing he had committed an offence. She was handed a two-year custodial sentence which was suspended for two years.
Mr Shearer was the victim of a brutal and sustained attack in his bed while he slept and sadly died nine days later in hospital. PPS Senior Public Prosecutor Richard Maguire said: “Timothy Walker subjected Mr Shearer to a violent attack that caused significant injuries, ultimately causing his death. Mr Shearer was a vulnerable man who was attacked in his bed, a place where he should have been safe.
“Walker struck Mr Shearer’s head at least nine times with a blunt instrument and his callous actions have caused great pain and upset to Mr Shearer’s family.
“The prosecution team in the PPS Serious Crime Unit worked closely with the Police Service of Northern Ireland, who had carried out a thorough investigation, to bring Walker before the court and build a strong case against him, resulting in the guilty plea.
“The conclusion of this case has taken a violent offender off the streets and I hope that will bring some comfort to Mr Shearer’s family and friends as they attempt to rebuild their lives without him.”