An 87-year-old man will face trial in October 2026 accused of murdering his sister in Bangor, County Down.

James Stewart Moore, of Clandeboye Place in Bangor, appeared at Belfast Crown Court from Maghaberry Prison for an arraignment hearing. When the charge was put to him, he told the court he did not wish to enter a plea at that time.

Madam Justice McBride recorded a not guilty plea on his behalf, citing the Criminal Law Act 1967, after hearing submissions.

The victim, Patricia Aust, known as Patsy, was 81 and a retired teacher. Her body was found at a house in Hawthorne Court, Bangor, on the afternoon of Sunday June 2 2024 after police received a report of a sudden death at around 5.30pm.

A trial date was fixed for Monday October 5 2026, with a review hearing listed for Tuesday September 8 2026. No application for bail was made and Moore was remanded back into custody.