The trial of a woman accused of the murders 20 years ago of her husband and her ex-lover's wife has been delayed.
It emerged in court this morning that Hazel Stewart's co-accused, Colin Howell, made a lengthy statement to police.
Antrim Crown Court in Coleraine heard that Ms Stewart's defence lawyers need time to consider the statement made by Howell, who has already been sentenced to life in prison for the two murders.
Howell, 51, from Castlerock, Co Derry, will be told next Monday how long he has to serve in prison.
Hazel Stewart's defence lawyer Paul Ramsey QC said he would now consider the lengthy statement from Howell and the trial would be unlikely to start before Christmas.
He said there was a 'ferocious amount' of detail to be examined and medical and psychiatric records.
Mr Justice Anthony Hart said he had only recently become aware of the additional evidence and that he would set the tariff for Howell's life sentence on Monday.
