The dentist jointly accused of the double murder of his wife and an RUC officer almost 20 years ago is to appear in court today charged with indecent assault.

Colin Howell (49) was charged late last night with a number of offences, including four counts of indecent assault.

He has also been charged with illegally administering overpowering drugs with the intent to commit indecent assault.

He is due to appear before Coleraine Magistrate’s Court this morning.

Howell (above) appeared in Coleraine Magistrate's Court earlier this week on charges of murdering his wife Lesley Howell and police officer Trevor Buchanan almost 20 years ago.

At that hearing a detective |inspector requested that he be remanded in custody in relation to a number of alleged indecent assaults and other sex offences, including offences he had indicated he wished to talk to police about.

Co-accused Hazel Stewart also appeared in court while the double murder charges against her were mentioned.

Mr Buchanan (31) and Mrs Howell (30) were found dead in a car parked in the garage of a house in the town of Castlerock in 1991. At the time an inquest into the deaths recorded a verdict of suicide.

Last week, however, Howell and Stewart were charged with |murdering their former partners. Howell was remanded in custody and Stewart was released on bail totalling £15,000 amid concern she may self-harm if remanded in custody.