Man appears in court charged with murder of mother

A man has appeared in court charged with the murder of his mother in Belfast.

Nathan Simpson, 21, from Castlereagh Road, appeared at Belfast Magistrates' Court on Monday.

It followed the discovery of 43-year-old Rachelle Simpson's body in the garage of a property on the Castlereagh Road at the weekend.

A PSNI detective sergeant told the court he could connect Nathan Simpson to the murder charge.

Asked if he understood the charge, Simpson replied: "Yes, your honour."

No application for bail was made.

However, a defence lawyer said the case highlighted a broader issue in relation to accommodation for prisoners being released from custody.

He said the defendant had been released from custody days before but attempts to secure accommodation had proven fruitless.

He was remanded in custody until October 14.