A 22-year-old man has entered a not guilty plea to the murder of Jordan Webb, a 28-year-old whose body was discovered at a residence on New Harbour Road in Portavogie, County Down, in November of last year. According to BBC News, the victim had sustained multiple stab wounds at the time he was found.
Kai Johnston, 22, of Springfield Gardens in Portavogie, made his appearance at Belfast Crown Court on Friday. When presented with the murder charge dated 3 November 2025, Johnston responded with a not guilty plea. The court remanded him into custody pending further proceedings.
In addition to the murder charge, Johnston faces a second count of perverting the course of justice. He has denied removing clothing from Mr Webb's body and then transporting both these garments and the knife allegedly used in the killing away from the scene. Johnston also denies possessing a knife at his Springfield Gardens address on 3 November 2025 and assaulting another male on the day preceding the murder.
When prosecutors presented a charge of possessing the Class C drug Pregabalin on 3 November 2025, Johnston entered a guilty plea to this offence.
What psychiatric issues are being investigated?
Following Johnston's arraignment, his defence barrister indicated that the case involves "a series of issues relating to intent and a number of psychiatric issues which are being investigated". The defence team has retained an expert in this field, and an examination of Johnston is anticipated to occur in January.
What happens next?
The judge declined to set a trial date at this stage, stating that he would conduct a review of the case in four weeks' time. This timeline will allow the defence's psychiatric assessment to progress and for further legal preparations to advance.
