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'Life term' warning for attacker Life term warning over attack
(3 days later)
A Ballymena man has been warned he faces a life sentence for an attack on a man who pretended to be dead so he was not murdered. A Ballymena man has been warned he faces a life sentence for an attack on a man who had to pretend to be dead to survive.
A Belfast Crown Court judge described the assault on Michael Liam Reid, a Catholic, as "merciless" and "fuelled by sectarian hatred".A Belfast Crown Court judge described the assault on Michael Liam Reid, a Catholic, as "merciless" and "fuelled by sectarian hatred".
Aaron Thomas White, 35, of no fixed address was remanded in custody for sentencing later.Aaron Thomas White, 35, of no fixed address was remanded in custody for sentencing later.
Convicting White, Mr Justice Gillen said the evidence was "overwhelming".Convicting White, Mr Justice Gillen said the evidence was "overwhelming".
Mr Justice Gillen told White "one of the options" he would consider was a life sentence.Mr Justice Gillen told White "one of the options" he would consider was a life sentence.
The attacked happened in a house in Patrick Place, Ballymena on 11 October, 2003.The attacked happened in a house in Patrick Place, Ballymena on 11 October, 2003.
Mr Reid had told his trial how as he played dead he was forced to watch and listen as White ordered a saw to cut up his body for disposal.Mr Reid had told his trial how as he played dead he was forced to watch and listen as White ordered a saw to cut up his body for disposal.
'Saw' Beaten with saucepan
He only managed to escape after White left his brother to guard his body while he and a third attacker went in search of the saw.He only managed to escape after White left his brother to guard his body while he and a third attacker went in search of the saw.
White, whose 30-year-old brother Neil White from Wakehurst Road, Ballymena, is already serving 16 years for his role in the attack, showed no emotion as he was convicted of attempted murder.White, whose 30-year-old brother Neil White from Wakehurst Road, Ballymena, is already serving 16 years for his role in the attack, showed no emotion as he was convicted of attempted murder.
Mr Justice Gillen said White's refusal to take the stand in his own defence left it open to him "as a matter of common sense to infer that there was no innocent explanation to the prima facie case" against him.Mr Justice Gillen said White's refusal to take the stand in his own defence left it open to him "as a matter of common sense to infer that there was no innocent explanation to the prima facie case" against him.
Mr Reid was cut 16 times, beaten with a saucepan, kicked and subjected to an attempted strangulation.Mr Reid was cut 16 times, beaten with a saucepan, kicked and subjected to an attempted strangulation.
"This attack was only halted because the assailants believed they had killed him when he feigned death," the judge said."This attack was only halted because the assailants believed they had killed him when he feigned death," the judge said.