Supergrass Trial: Robert Stewart prova “rimorso” per i crimini compiuti

Supergrass ‘remorseful’ over crimes

Loyalist supergrass Robert Stewart told Belfast Crown Court on Wednesday that he feels remorse for all of the 160 crimes he is accused of, including the murder of Tommy English.

In yet another day of cross-examination Robert Stewart was partly questioned about his other crimes – including robberies and beatings – of which he has not implicated any of the 14 accused he is giving evidence against.

In particular defence QC Frank O’Donaghue continually asked 37-year-old Stewart if he was still suffering “any pangs of remorse” as he carried out those crimes.

Stewart, who claimed he and his brother only went to police out of remorse for his involvement in the murder of rival UDA loyalist terrorist Tommy English, blamed his membership of the UVF for his crimes.

“I feel remorse for everything I have done in my life… I would not be sitting here listening to you if I wasn’t… I’m a changed man,” he told Mr O’Donaghue.

Earlier Stewart complained that the defence questioning was becoming “a bit repetitive” and that he had already explained things, particularly his lapses of memory, “over and over and over”.

Trial judge Mr Justice Gillen, who told Stewart he had to answer any proper questions put to him, however, at one stage did question Mr O’Donaghue over a part of his cross-examination.

Telling the lawyer he had spent over a quarter of an hour on a matter he’d already questioned Stewart about last week, the judge asked how such questioning was going to help him when it comes for him to deliberate on the case.

Stewart, and his brother David, have turned Queen’s evidence and in return the minimum tariffs on their life sentences have been reduced to three-and-a-half-years each.

The pair confessed their involvement in the loyalist feud which led to the murder of UDA boss Tommy English.

Alleged UVF leader Mark Haddock and 13 alleged UVF members are accused in connection with the murder of Mr English close to his Newtownabbey home in 2000.

Nine of the men in the dock, including Haddock, deny the murder of Tommy English and various other related charges – including UVF membership, hijacking and possessing guns.

Stewart’s brother, David has yet to give evidence. The case continues.