Chloe Mitchell: Legal team for accused withdraws from case

The legal team for a man accused of the murder of Chloe Mitchell in Ballymena has withdrawn from the case. A senior barrister for 29-year-old Brandon Rainey, who is currently on remand in Maghaberry Prison, made the application at Belfast Crown Court on Thursday morning. Neil Connor KC said this was due to the legal team being "professionally compromised" and that the accused also indicated he no longer wanted their representation. The court was told the client-lawyer relationship had broken down. The senior barrister said: "I appreciate it's disappointing at this late stage." He also said that he "didn't make the application lightly". The court was told Rainey had been in contact with other solicitors with a view to them representing him. However, the senior defence barrister said a solicitors' firm recently indicated to his junior counsel "that they do not intend to accept instructions in this case but ultimately that's a matter for the accused". Madam Justice McBride accepted the application for the withdrawal of services describing it as "a very unfortunate turn of events". She said there was a consequence to the action and that extensive efforts had been made for a trial to pr