Publication date:
Four people were sentenced today at Coleraine Crown Court following the murder of a man in Ballymoney more than five years ago.
Steven Peck (33) was attacked and brutally beaten at playing fields in Ballymoney on the evening of 3rd January 2021 and died from his injuries six days later in hospital.
David Austin (59) was found guilty of murder and sentenced to imprisonment for life. He will serve a minimum of 16 and a half years in prison.
Brian John McCook (30) was found guilty of assisting an offender and sentenced to four years. Half of this will be served in custody and half will be served on licence.
Stephen Derek McCook (34) was found guilty of assisting an offender and sentenced to four years. Half of this will be served in custody and half will be served on licence.
Easther McCook (51) was found guilty of perverting the course of justice and sentenced to two years, suspended for three years.
Assistant Director of the PPS Serious Crime Unit Catherine Kierans said:
“This was a violent and planned attack, in which the victim was lured to a location and set on. It happened in the early evening in a public place. A member of the public who came upon the attack raised the alarm and administered first aid until the emergency services arrived.
“The extent of collaboration among the defendants was shocking. Before and after the crime, they conspired to plan and conceal their actions.
“The destruction of evidence and provision of false alibis made this a very challenging case.
“I want to acknowledge the professionalism and dedication of the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) who investigated this case. This was a complex case and collaboration between the PPS Serious Crime Unit and the PSNI was essential in building a robust case.
“My thoughts today are with Steven Peck’s family. They lost a much-loved son and brother in an act of senseless violence. I hope today’s sentencing brings some comfort to Mr Peck’s family and I thank them for engaging with us during the proceedings.
Notes to Editors
- All decisions by the PPS are taken strictly in accordance with the Test for Prosecution (https://www.ppsni.gov.uk/how-we-reach-decisions) which involves two stages. The Test for Prosecution is met if, in relation to an identifiable suspect, the available evidence is sufficient to provide a reasonable prospect of a conviction (the Evidential Test) and if prosecution is in the public interest (the Public Interest Test). The Evidential Test must be passed first before the Public Interest Test is considered. Further information can be found in the PPS Code for Prosecutors (https://www.ppsni.gov.uk/publications/code-prosecutors).
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