Roy Reynolds: man told he will serve minimum of 21 years in prison for Co Antrim murder

A man was told today (Wednesday) he must serve a minimum of 21 years in prison for the murder of Roy Reynolds, whose body was dumped in a reservoir in Co Antrim in 2022.

Michael Campbell, 34, whose address was given as HMP Maghaberry, had also admitted a charge of attempting to prevent the burial of a body.

A second man, Robert Fulton, 70, of Brickhill Park, Newtownabbey, was jailed for two years and four months for assisting in the disposal of a body.

Mr Reynolds, who was 54, was beaten and stabbed in a flat in Rathcoole in March 2022. Belfast Crown Court heard he had sustained more than 100 injuries.

His remains were then placed in the boot of a car and taken to North Woodburn Reservoir near Carrickfergus where his semi-naked body was discovered in shallow water.

Judge Mr Justice O'Hara said the murder of Mr Reynolds was "brutal in the extreme, relentless and merciless".

Outside court, the family of Mr Reynolds said they had found themselves "in the midst of an unimaginable tragedy".

In a statement, Eric McCully, Mr Reynolds' brother-in-law said: "Our beloved Roy Reynolds, affectionately known as Fobby, was taken from us far too soon.

"As we grapple with grief, we want to express our heartfelt gratitude to everyone who has stood by our side during this harrowing time."

He added: "Fobby was more than a name; he was a cherished brother, father, and grandfather.

"His twin sister, Maggie, shares our grief, as do his brother Phillip and sisters Samantha, Joanne and Donna.

"Roy's legacy lives on through his daughters, Natasha and Lisa, and his three precious grandchildren: Charlie, Freya, and Ayda."