Nelson Cheung: Murder accused makes first apearance since bail release

Gary William Thompson (33), of Cunningham Way, Antrim, is one of three men accused of killing Mr Cheung and the attempted murder of his wife Winnie on a date between January 6-9.

Thompson’s barrister Aaron Thompson said his client is now residing at an address in Lurgan, along with his wife, Lisa Thompson (33), of Cunningham Way, who is accused of handling a stolen iPhone belong to Mr Cheung’s wife Winnie and with perverting the course of justice by providing a false account of the movements of her husband.

Mr Thompson said his client is facing “the most serious charge one could face” and that his remand hearings in the case have been moved to Ballymena.

Mr Thompson said that biology reports in the case are expected by the middle of this month.

He said that Thompson and his wife are now living at a bail address in Lurgan and asked that his client be excused from attending remand hearings until there is significant progress in the case.

He said that with restrictions on where Thompson can go as part of his bail conditions, it would be “perhaps best not to tempt fate and have him in this part of the country at all”.

Thompson was remanded on continuing bail until September 24, when his wife is also due to appear at Ballymena Magistrates Court.

Deputy District Judge Liam McStay excused Thompson from attending on that date as there was “not likely to be great progress” by that date.

The judge said that Thompson can still attend if he wishes and added that it would be likely the defendant would accompany his wife to court “to see what is happening in the case”.