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Ross's solicitor, Conleth Downey Paul Faith/PA Wire/Press Association Images
dromore deaths
Pictures: Dromore stonemason charged with killing two women appears in court
66-year-old Leslie Ross appeared in court in today charged with two counts of murder. He has also been questioned over a third killing.
2.15pm, 23 Aug 2013
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LESLIE ROSS, A stonemason from Dromore in Co Down accused of killing two women in the town since 2007, has appeared at Armagh Magistrates Court. His lawyer told reporters he would be fighting the charges.
Ross is charged with killing 47-year-old Michelle Bickerstaff in April of last year and 50-year-old Margaret Weise in August 2007. He was detained for questioning by investigating officers on Tuesday morning.
Detectives have also prepared a file for the Northern Ireland Public Prosecution Service in relation to the death of Elizabeth McKee (52) in December 2002, according to a PSNI spokesperson.
According to the BBC, Ross was also charged with indecent assault, gross indecency with a child and indecently assaulting a female child. No application for bail was made at today’s short hearing.
Ross’s solicitor, Conleth Downey, made this statement to news crews outside the courthouse:
In essence, Mr Ross has indicated that he categorically and vehemently denies all allegations of wrong-doing, that has been pointed out to the court this morning, and at the earliest opportunity he will robustly defend all these matters.
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The accused’s house in Dromore has been painted with graffiti since he was arrested for questioning earlier this week.
Police have appealed for anyone with information that could help the investigation to come forward.
The PSNI can be contacted on 0044 28 38315339, and Crimestoppers at 0800 555 111.
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Jenny Dixon (pink jumper) daughter of Lily McKee, arrives with family members at Armagh court in Northern Ireland where Leslie Ross has been charged with the murders of Michelle Bickerstaff, 47 and Margaret Weise, 50.Source: PA Wire/Press Association Images
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Rachel Bickerstaff, daughter of Michelle Bickerstaff, arrives at Armagh court in Northern Ireland where Leslie Ross has been charged with the murders of Michelle Bickerstaff, 47 and Margaret Weise, 50.Source: PA Wire/Press Association Images
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Armagh court in Northern Ireland where Leslie Ross has been charged with the murders of Michelle Bickerstaff, 47 and Margaret Weise, 50.Source: PA Wire/Press Association Images
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Defence solicitor Conleth Downey (second right) speaks to the media outside Armagh court in Northern Ireland where Leslie Ross has been charged with the murders of Michelle Bickerstaff, 47 and Margaret Weise, 50.Source: PA Wire/Press Association Images
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A police van transporting Leslie Ross, arrives at Armagh court in Northern Ireland where he has been charged with the murders of Michelle Bickerstaff, 47 and Margaret Weise, 50.Source: PA Wire/Press Association Images
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General view of Dromore in Co Down as Leslie Ross, 66, was detained in the quiet market town in connection with three fatal incidents over a 10-year period.Source: PA Wire/Press Association Images
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Iv seen the devastating effects an accident like this can have… Hoping and praying he makes a full recovery… Will be in my thoughts & prayers tonight….x
So tragic that he passed away. We were at that pool with our three children the day before and (as an ex pool lifeguard myself) I was surprised to see that there was no lifeguards on poolside the two hours we were there. The odd staff member came in to test the water chemicals but there was no staff on poolside Sun morning so supervision is left to parents (there is no regulation requiring the (private) hotel pool to have lifeguards).
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