Four people have been sentenced at Coleraine Crown Court for their roles in the 2021 murder of Steven Peck in Ballymoney.

David Austin, 59, of Cherry Gardens, Ballymoney, was given a life sentence for murder. The court set a minimum term of 16 and a half years before he can be considered for release.

Brian McCook, 30, and Stephen McCook, 34, both of Urbal Road, Dervock, each received four-year sentences for assisting an offender, with two years to be served in custody and two years on licence.

Easther McCook, 51, also of Ballymoney, received a two-year sentence, suspended for three years, after pleading guilty to perverting the course of justice by providing false alibis.

Steven Peck, 33, was attacked on a laneway off the Garryduff Road on 3 January 2021. He was taken to Causeway Hospital and later transferred to the Royal Victoria Hospital, where he died on 9 January.

The court heard that Austin lured Peck to the location. Austin and the two McCook brothers carried out the attack using metal bars and other weapons. Austin had previously admitted to police that his intent was to kill Peck.

A member of the public found Peck injured and administered first aid before emergency services arrived. The Public Prosecution Service stated that the collaboration among the defendants before and after the attack was extensive, including the destruction of evidence and the provision of false alibis.