Four people sentenced over murder of 'gentle giant'

A man who admitted the murder of a "gentle giant" has been told he will spend 16 and a half years in prison before being considered for release.

David Austin, 59, from Cherry Gardens in Ballymoney, County Antrim, attacked 33-year-old Steven Peck on a laneway in the town in January 2021.

He had been lured to the spot by Austin who, along with two other men, Brian, 30, and Stephen McCook, 34, beat and kicked Mr Peck.

Austin hit him twice with an iron bar. He died six days later in hospital.

The McCook brothers, from Urbal Road in Dervock, were sentenced to four years in prison - two in custody and two on licence - for assisting an offender.

Their mother, Easther McCook, 51, was sentenced to two years, suspended for three years, for perverting the course of justice by providing false alibis for her sons.

The judge said Austin had "instigated, planned and led the attack".

Steven Peck lived with his parents and sister in Ballymoney. He was adopted by them as a baby.

The judge read some of his mother Rosemary Peck's victim impact statement where she spoke of her love for Steven and how her heart has been broken.

She has been diagnosed with Motor Neuron Disease (MND) and uses a wheelchair. She had to leave the court temporarily during the hearing.

Catherine Kierans, the assistant director of the Public Prosecution Service (PPS), said the "extent of collaboration among the defendants was shocking".

"Before and after the crime, they conspired to plan and conceal their actions," she said.

Kierans described the case as "very challenging" due to the "destruction of evidence and provision of false alibis".

"This was a violent and planned attack, in which the victim was lured to a location and set on.

"I hope today's sentencing brings some comfort to Mr Peck's family and I thank them for engaging with us during the proceedings."

Det Ch Insp Hazel Miller described Steven as "loving, caring and gentle" and a "much-loved son and brother".

"This was a totally brutal and senseless crime," she said.

"The severity of the attack itself, and the callous way in which this victim was left lying on the ground, shocked an entire community, while leaving a loving family shattered.

"Amidst the sorrow, we're keen to acknowledge the efforts of a member of the public who not only called for help, but also administered first aid until the emergency services arrived."

Miller said the Peck family "live on with the pain and anguish of what happened to Steven, every single day".