MAN, 26, IN COURT ON CHLOE MURDER CHARGE

Victim's family hear defendant No2 accused of assisting offender

A MAN appeared in court yesterday charged with the murder of Chloe Mitchell.

Friends and family of the 21-year-old looked on as Brandon Rainey appeared at Coleraine Magistrates Court sitting in Ballymena, Co Antrim.

The 26-year-old spoke only to confirm he understood the charge.

Rainey, from James Street in Ballymena, is accused of the murder of Ms Mitchell on a date unknown between June 2 and last Monday.

Also appearing at the same court was Ryan Johnston Gordon who was charged with assisting an offender.

The 34-year-old, whose address was give as Nursery Close in the town, is alleged to have "knowing or believing" Ms Mitchell had been murdered concealed evidence intending to impede the apprehension or prosecution of Rainey.

Detective Inspector Foreman told the court she believed she could connect both men to the respective charges.