Belfast man Matthew Wilson accused of burgling neighbour's home as she held wake for husband

A Belfast man allegedly burgled his grieving neighbour’s home as she held a wake for her late husband, a court has been told.

Matthew Wilson, 23, is accused of breaking into the house in the Cregagh area of the city at the weekend.

Wilson, of Stracam Corner, appeared at Belfast Magistrates’ Court charged with a count of burglary.

He allegedly stole £230 in cash and a bank card after entering another property on the same street sometime on Sunday.

A Crown lawyer disclosed that the victim’s deceased husband had been “lying at rest” in their home at the time. 

Referring to the prosecution case against Wilson, District Judge Stephen Keown asked: “He burgled a wake house?”

Concerns were also expressed for the safety of the accused, with the court told of hostility towards him due to the alleged break-in.

Defence solicitor Adrian Harvey argued that the case against his client is based on poor quality CCTV recordings from the scene.

Mr Harvey insisted that the footage of the suspected burglar does not show Wilson’s face.

The injured party only identified the accused on the basis of his walk and general mannerisms, he submitted.

Bail was refused, however, due to the risk of potential further offences.

Remanding Wilson in custody to appear in court again later this month, Judge Keown said: “This case is distasteful to say the least.”

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