Roy Reynolds murder: pensioner accused of helping dump body in Woodburn Reservoir claims he was threatened

Police investigating the “gruesome” death of Roy Reynolds in Newtownabbey also disclosed that effigies have been hung since the suspects were charged.

Details emerged as 69-year-old Robert Fulton was refused bail over his alleged role in events following the fatal attack in Rathcoole.

Mr Reynolds’ partially submerged remains were discovered at North Woodburn Reservoir, near Carrickfergus, on March 28 this year.

The 54-year-old victim had sustained multiple fractures and stab wounds.

Michael Campbell, 33, is currently in custody charged with carrying out the murder in Rathcoole.

Police were alerted after a neighbour reported seeing a body being dragged out of the property and put into a car boot.

Fulton, from Belfast Road in Ballyclare, Co Antrim, faces a charge of assisting in the disposal of the body.

The two defendants were arrested when police stopped the vehicle, apparently on its way back from the dam.

Officers who searched Campbell’s home discovered a knife and the walls stained with blood, along with a screwdriver and electric hedge trimmer, according to detectives.

Mr Reynolds had fractures to his jaw and ribs, as well as stab wounds to his chest and other areas of the body.

As Fulton mounted a fresh application for bail at Belfast Magistrates' Court on Friday (December 23), defence counsel Paul Bacon claimed he was vulnerable and acted out of fear of Campbell.

"He had suffered a debilitating brain injury and was imposed upon by the man who’s charged with the murder,” the barrister contended. “He has been harassed, threatened, cajoled and exploited by the man.”

Describing the killing as “very gruesome”, Mr Bacon added: “When one looks at the facts in relation to this murder it’s little wonder that he was threatened by this man.”

An investigating detective opposed Fulton’s release, suggesting it could lead to community tensions.

Concerns were also expressed for Fulton’s own safety.

"Following this murder there was graffiti threatening the people responsible which escalated to the point where there were effigies hung outside relevant addresses,” the detective revealed.

Denying bail, District Judge George Conner ruled there was not a sufficient change in circumstances and remanded Fulton in continuing custody until January 20.