Colin Howell, a convicted double murderer, denied ownership of disturbing child pornography found on his computer, despite confessing to the murders and sexual assaults. The illicit images were uncovered on a computer discovered in his living quarters, a caravan. Howell orchestrated the killings of his wife, Lesley, and her husband, Trevor Buchanan, both 32 years old at the time. He voluntarily confessed to the crimes at a police station.
The incriminating images were detected on January 30, 2009, over 17 years after Howell committed the murders. The authorities questioned Howell about the child photographs found on the computer, depicting children around seven years old.
According to a report by BelfastLive, the disturbing revelations are featured in a two-part documentary titled “Confessions Of A Killer,” which includes original audio recordings from extensive police interrogations regarding the tragic deaths of Lesley and Trevor in 1991.
Howell’s admission led to a renewed investigation, his conviction, and the subsequent conviction of his accomplice, Hazel Stewart. Both are serving life sentences in prison. In 2011, Howell was also convicted of sexually assaulting five female patients and received an additional prison sentence.
Despite the evidence found on his computer, labeled as Police Item DS1, Howell was never prosecuted for the child pornography. The computer was discovered in the caravan where he resided after his American wife, Kyle Jorgensen, uncovered his affair with a dental nurse.
The police seized the computer as part of their inquiries into Howell’s double murder claims. The exchange between the lead investigator and Howell regarding the child pornography photos has now been revealed. Howell denied any knowledge or involvement with the images, asserting that he had never accessed such material before.
“Confessions Of A Killer” was produced by Below The Radar Television with support from Northern Ireland Screen. Both episodes will premiere on Tuesday, January 20, at 6 am on BBC iPlayer, with the first episode airing that evening on BBC One NI at 9 pm. The documentary will also be broadcast on Sunday, January 25, on BBC Two at 9 pm.