Man in court over Christmas party killing

A 42-year-old man appeared before magistrates in Belfast charged with the murder of Jonathan Stewart at a Christmas party during the loyalist Ulster Defence Association feud.

Ian Samuel Truesdale, whose address was given as Bolton, Lancashire, denied killing Mr Stewart, who was shot dead on December 27 last year.

Detective Inspector James Templeton said that when the murder charge was put to Mr Truesdale he had replied “definitely not guilty”.

Mr Stewart was shot dead in the kitchen of a house in Manor Street in North Belfast when a gunman forced his way into the room.

Mr Truesdale, who is unemployed, is the father of the victim’s girlfriend.

One other person is also in custody.

The mother of Jonathan Stewart was among those who watched from the public gallery the proceedings at Laganside Magistrates Court.

As the accused entered the dock, there was a cry of “proud of yourself, are you?”

Other remarks were made by members of the public sitting in the gallery.

Mr Truesdale was remanded in custody to appear again by a video link on December 18.