Il giudice e gli avvocati del “processo Supergrass” hanno visitato la zona circostante l’abitazione di Newtownabbey del leader UDA assassinato nel 2000
Qui era stato pianificato l’omicidio, secondo quanto detto dai fratelli Ian e Robert Stewart.
Il giudice ed i legali si sono recati anche a Ballyduff dove Tommy English venne assassinato nell’ottobre 2000.
I fratelli Stewart affermano che, prima dell’omicidio, il presunto comandante dall’UVF di North Belfast Mark Haddock ed un altro accusato, Darren Moore, erano stati condotti nel quartiere per una perlustrazione del territorio, prima dell’invio dei killer.
Secondo i due fratelli Stewart l’omicidio era stato pianificato in un appartamento di New Mossley, in risposta all’attacco contro il membro della UVF Bertie Rice, all’apice della faida lealista di quel periodo.
Mark Haddock, 41 anni, avrebbe ordinato l’assassinio di un lealista dell’UDA.
Venerdì, nel frattempo, l’avvocato Arthur Harvey, legale di Alexander Wood, ha proseguito il controinterrogatorio di Ian Stewart, il secondo dei due superpentiti lealisti a fornire testimonianza in aula.
Ian e suo fratello Robert hano ricevuto una condanna a tre anni per il coinvolgimento nell’omicidio di Tommy English.
Stanno testimoniando contro 14 presunti appartenenti all’Ulster Volunteer Force in cambio di una riduzione delle condanne.
Tratto da BBC News
UVF Supergrass trial: Judge visits scene of Tommy English murder
The judge and lawyers in the UVF supergrass trial visited the area around the Newtownabbey home of murdered UDA leader Tommy English on Friday.
This was where the murder was allegedly planned according to brothers Ian and Robert Stewart.
The judge and lawyers also visited Ballyduff where Mr English was shot dead in October 2000.
The Stewart brothers claim that before the shooting, alleged former north Belfast UVF leader Mark Haddock and another accused, Darren Moore, were driven on a scouting expedition before UVF gunmen were deployed to assassinate Mr English.
It is understood that the purpose behind Friday’s visit was to enable the judge and lawyers to familiarise themselves with the loyalist area which has featured heavily in the trial to date.
The Stewart brothers claim that the murder was planned in a flat in New Mossley in retaliation for the shooting of UVF associate Bertie Rice at the height of the then loyalist feud.
Haddock, 41, allegedly ordered the murder of a UDA member.
Meanwhile on Friday, defence QC Arthur Harvey, acting on behalf of Alexander Wood, has continued his cross examination of Ian Stewart, the second of the supergrass brothers to give evidence before the trial.
Stewart and his brother Robert received three-year sentences for involvement in the murder of Mr English.
They are testifying against the 14 men in return for their reduced sentences.
The trial continues.