Men sentenced for 'unmerciful and savage murder' of Donald Harold Fraser-Rennie in Ballymena

Two Co Antrim men were on Tuesday handed tariff sentences totalling 31-years for an "unmerciful and savage murder".

Samuel Atcheson, 36, of Crebilly Road, Ballymena was told by Madam Justice McBride that he will serve a minimum of 16 years in prison before he would be eligible to apply to the Parole Commissioners for release.

Steven Arthur Hunter, 32, of Lantara, Ballymena, will serve a minimum of 15 years in custody.

Both men previously pleaded guilty to the murder of Donald Harold Fraser-Rennie.

Mr Fraser-Rennie was found dead "in a pool of blood" at Atcheson's first floor Crebilly Road flat after police were alerted.

It was the prosecution case that the father-of-three died as a result of a "unmerciful, prolonged and sustained attack'' on the afternoon of Tuesday 29 October 2020.

Last month, Belfast Crown Court was played a brief 58 second video which recorded part of the attack during which Hunter threatened to "stab Mr Fraser-Rennie in the trunk''.

Senior prosecution counsel Ciaran Murphy KC said the 33-year-old victim, who was originally from England, died as a result of a "beating and had been subjected to gratuitous violence''.

He said following the murder, Atcheson sent a Facebook message to a relative saying: "There is a dead man in my flat.''

A 999 call was received in the early hours of the following morning, 30 October, from Atcheson who told a call handler: "We need your assistance at 5D Crebilly Road as soon as possible. A male has been beat up. Believed to be dead.

"It is quite a gory scene. We have literally just arrived on the scene. At the moment all we have is Donald.''

Police found the deceased was "lying on his back with no pulse, was cold and his face was indented''.

When police asked Atcheson what happened, he replied: "It was Steven Hunter. He is away to his girlfriend's flat. Hunter put a screw driver into Donald's face''.

"The officer noted there was dried blood on the toes of Atcheson's white trainers.'' Paramedics arrived and confirmed the death at 1.09 am.

CCTV had captured the three men earlier in the day going into a Tesco's store and Mr Fraser-Rennie was dressed in an orange jacket and carrying a crate of cider.

Mr Murphy said the clothes Atcheson was wearing at the murder scene were different from those he was wearing at the Tesco store apart from his trainers.

"Photographs from the scene show the deceased lying with a pool of blood around his head and extensive blood distribution and staining in the living room, bedroom and bathroom,'' said Mr Murphy.

An autopsy recorded death was due to "blunt force trauma of the head and chest, with compressions to the neck and acute alcohol intoxication. There were multiple blows to the head consistent with him being the victim of a sustained physical assault with punches, kicks, stamps and blows with a weapon. He had nine fractured ribs and there was bleeding on the brain''.

The judge said the defendants had subjected Mr Fraser-Rennie to a "savage, vicious and merciless prolonged beating involving multiple punches, kicks and blows. The callous and vicious nature of the attack is graphically portrayed in the disgusting 58 second video made by Hunter''.

Phone records between Atcheson and his then girlfriend showed there was "some hostility'' between him and the deceased over claims Mr Fraser-Rennie had stolen money and prescription drugs from his flat.

She later told police that on October 29, 2020, Atcheson contacted her by video call and the camera was turned towards the deceased who was "lying on the floor lifeless with blood coming from his mouth''.

She stated that "Hunter and Atcheson were laughing and she saw Hunter score a screwdriver down the right side of the deceased's face. Both then licked blood off the side of the deceased's face. Atcheson then kicked the deceased in the head and face at least ten times. There was blood everywhere in the flat''.

Both defendants were arrested and when Hunter was put in handcuffs officers noted "blood staining around his fingernails''.

He told police that he punched the deceased twice in the face, kicked him once while on the ground, "straddled him, grabbed his cheeks with both hands and squeezed his fingers into them''.

Hunter claimed when he left the flat his victim was still alive and Atcheson "was fighting with him''.

Said Madam Justice McBride: "This was clearly a lie as the CCTV footage shows Atcheson and Hunter at the local petrol station at 4.11 pm that afternoon.''

Atcheson blamed Hunter for all the injuries the victim sustained.

The judge said it was clear from the police investigation "there was evidence to clean up the scene and dispose of evidence. Fire embers showed they tried to destroy evidence.''

During the tariff hearing, Madam Justice McBride said she had carefully read a victim impact statement from Mr Fraser-Rennie's partner Mary Cotton about the "devastating impact his death has had on her and her children''.

"She has lost a partner and now has to struggle as a single parent. Their two children have lost a much loved father and have to face the future without his presence, support and guidance.

"No term of imprisonment can equate to or restore human life nor can it alleviate the profound grief, pain and loss to the deceased's family which they now have to live with on a daily basis.''

Ms Cotton attended court for the tariff hearing and was visibly upset after the sentences were passed.

As she left court clutching a pillow with Mr Fraser-Rennie's face on it, she was heard saying: "That's not nearly long enough for what they did to him.''

Following the hearing, Senior Public Prosecutor Mairead Lavery added: “This was a cowardly, violent and unprovoked attack on Donald Fraser-Rennie who was vulnerable at the time. "The defendants inflicted multiple injuries on the deceased consistent with a sustained assault, part of which they videoed. “Following the attack, the defendants left the scene and tried to conceal and destroy evidence including burning clothing that they had been wearing. When interviewed by police both defendants tried to blame the other. “The prosecution team in the PPS’s Serious Crime Unit worked closely with the PSNI to build a robust prosecution case, including recovering mobile phone footage and records, CCTV and forensic evidence, resulting in guilty pleas. "We would also like to thank all civilian witnesses who made statements that assisted the investigation. “Whilst these guilty pleas have saved Donald’s family the ordeal of a trial, the family have lost a loving fiancé and father due to the cowardly acts of Steven Hunter and Samuel Atcheson. “This was a shocking attack on a defenceless man and while nothing can bring Donald back, we hope the conclusion of this case can bring some comfort to his loved ones.”

PSNI Detective Inspector Claire McGarvey said: “The attack by both defendants was brutal, and their actions in the hours that followed were callous. It’s the early hours of the next day before emergency services are contacted. In the interim period, the two leave the scene and try to destroy evidence, including their clothing.” Detective Inspector McGarvey added: “Today, thanks to our dedicated team and working in partnership with our colleagues in the Public Prosecution Service, the defendants have been held accountable for their actions. “Donald's family have lost their loved one. "The life of a loving fiancé and father was taken in the most brutal and shocking of attacks, and there are no words that can ease their pain. Today my thoughts remain with them.”

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