The Public Prosecution Service has issued the following statement after Michael Gerard Owens was today sentenced at Belfast Crown Court to a tariff of 16 years and six months imprisonment for the murder of Robert Flowerday in January 2018.
Senior Public Prosecutor Kirsten McKevitt said: “The PPS Serious Crime Unit worked closely with the PSNI to build the strongest possible case against Michael Owens.
“Together we prepared a robust prosecution case which resulted in a guilty plea to the murder of Robert Flowerday.
“The circumstances of this case are particularly distressing – this was a brutal and shocking murder of a defenseless elderly man in his own home.
“Mr Flowerday was a loving brother, uncle and friend. He was also a retired teacher and a much respected tutor who helped many children through their exams. He is sorely missed by his family, friends and the wider community.
“This has been a deeply painful experience for Mr Flowerday’s family, and we thank them for the positive and dignified way they engaged with the PPS throughout.”
ENDS
