Annabella Symington was found dead at her south Belfast home A former police inspector has admitted murdering a wealthy widow in south Belfast in 1989.
Kenneth McConnell, from Prospect Downs, Carrickfergus, who was a gambling addict, killed Annabella Symington, in a botched robbery.
Mrs Symington who was 80, was killed when McConnell forced a cardigan sleeve into her mouth to stop her screaming.
McConnell, 58, was said to have discovered the south Belfast pensioner had money after befriending her niece.
Mrs Symington’s body was discovered by a neighbour at her Willesden Park home in the Stranmillis area of the city on 31 October 1989. She had died due to mechanical asphyxiation.
A prosecution barrister told a High Court bail hearing in April 2010 that the victim was a wealthy lady whose late husband had been a successful businessman.
Kenneth McConnell was arrested and charged in January 2010 after nail clippings taken from the victim at a post-mortem examination were looked at again.
These produced a profile which led to a sample being taken from him and sent to forensic science experts in England, the court sitting in April heard.
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