Victor Hamilton: Man sentenced over manslaughter

A man has been sentenced in connection to the manslaughter of County Antrim man Victor Hamilton.

The 63-year-old’s body was discovered in the driveway outside his house in Orkney Drive in the Ballykeel area of Ballymena in July 2022.

Mamadu Saido Djalo (32) from Derryveen Crescent in Dungannon, County Tyrone, pleaded guilty to a charge of manslaughter and was handed a six year sentence, divided between prison and licence.

Mario Menezes (35) from Portmore Street in Portadown and Michael Hanrahan (43) of Thomas Street in Craigavon, County Armagh, both admitted a charge of withholding information and were given a sentence of two years, divided between prison and licence.

The man suspected of carrying out the fatal knife attack was named in court as Casemiro Sano Lopez Vaz.

He fled to his native Portugal in the aftermath of Mr Hamilton’s death and, due to Portuguese legislation, has not been extradited to face a murder charge.

As Mr Hamilton’s three sisters sat in the public gallery, Mr Justice O’Hara addressed them and said: “I cannot punish the defendants who are in court today more harshly to make up for the fact that the killer is not here.

“He has escaped, for now at least, but hopefully not for good.”

Expressing the hope that a change in law could result in Mr Vas “being brought before these courts for justice”, the senior judge said: “Even if that happens, I recognise that nothing that has happened in this court today or may happen in the future can ever bring back your brother.”