Antrim man handed life sentence for murder of ex-partner Alyson Nelson

The 64-year-old retired nurse was stabbed at her Victoria Avenue home in April 2022.

Her ex-partner William Finlay - who up until today had denied her murder - appeared at Belfast Crown Court where his barrister Gary McHugh KC asked Mr Justice O'Hara if his client could be re-arraigned.

Finlay (68) was asked to confirm his identity to a court clerk and was then charged that on April 16, 2022 he murdered Ms Nelson and that the offence was aggravated by reason of involvement of domestic abuse.

When the charge was put to Finlay, from Old Forde Gardens in Whitehead, he replied "guilty."

Mr McHugh then told Mr Justice O'Hara the defence will be seeking a pre-sentence report as well as a forensic psychiatrist's report "to deal with specific issues."

The senior judge then addressed Finlay and told him: "You have pleaded guilty this morning to the murder of Alyson Nelson in Whitehead on the 10th of April, 2022.

"Since you have pleaded guilty to murder, I now impose a sentence of life imprisonment on you.

"There will be a hearing to decide what is the minimum sentence which you will serve before the Parole Commissioners meet to decide whether it is safe for you to be released."

Mr Justice O'Hara set the tariff hearing for January 19, 2024.

Acknowledging the family and friends of Ms Nelson who sat in the public gallery, Mr Justice O'Hara told them they were welcome to come back to court on that date for the hearing.

After both the Crown and defence confirmed there as 'no further business', Finlay was remanded back into custody and was led from the dock in handcuffs by two prison officers.