Man charged with murder of woman found stabbed in County Derry

A man has been charged with the murder of a woman who was found with stab wounds at her home in County Derry, Northern Ireland.

Andrzej Pajaczkowski, 43, was remanded in custody on Wednesday on suspicion of killing Sophie Watson, 57, who was found unresponsive at the property in Ashgrove Park in Magherafelt on 18 August. She was pronounced dead at the scene.

Pajaczkowski, also of Ashgrove Park, appeared at Magherafelt magistrates court, which sat at Derry city’s courthouse, via video link from the serious custody suite at Musgrave police station in Belfast.

Pajaczkowski, wearing a grey custody tracksuit, spoke briefly to confirm his name, date of birth, address and that he understood the charge against him. He is a Polish national who has lived in Northern Ireland for 20 years, the court heard. A Polish interpreter assisted during the brief hearing.

A detective constable told the district judge, Oonagh Mullan, that she could connect the accused to the charge.

Pajaczkowski’s defence solicitor, Eoghan McKenna, said his client had replied “not guilty” after being charged. McKenna made no immediate application for bail.

“We are conscious of ongoing police inquiries in the area. We also require some investigation of bail address issues and I also want to obtain some medical evidence before progressing the bail application,” McKenna said. He said it would be a complicated and complex investigation.

The judge remanded Pajaczkowski in custody to appear before the same court, via video link, on 18 September.

Police have appealed for anyone with information to contact the force or make anonymous contact with the charity Crimestoppers.

Christine McFlynn, a Social Democratic and Labour party (SDLP) councillor and the chair of the Mid Ulster policing and community safety partnership, said Watson’s death reflected a “pandemic of violence” against women and girls. “No one should have to live in fear that they’ll be attacked, abused or killed and yet it’s far too often the case in our society,” she said.