Man charged with murder of convicted sex offender Sean Small in County Down

A man in his 40’s has been charged with the murder of an 84 year old convicted sex offender in County Down.

Pensioner Sean Small had recently been released from prison.

His body was found dead outside his home on Slievenabrock Avenue in Newcastle last Sunday after what police have described as a “brutal and sustained attack”.

Yesterday detectives were given extra time to question a man who was arrested on Tuesday on suspicion of the murder.

In an update last night a PSNI statement said, “Detectives from the Police Service of Northern Ireland's Major Investigation Team, investigating the murder of Sean Small (84) in Newcastle, have charged a man with his murder. “

“The 41-year-old man is due to appear before Newtownards Magistrates' Court tomorrow, Friday, 29th August. As is usual procedure, the charge will be reviewed by the Public Prosecution Service.”