Eighth man charged with loyalist's murder

An eighth man was charged tonight in connection with the murder of a leading loyalist during a bloody feud in the North.

The 32-year-old was charged with murder, while another 32-year-old man was charged earlier today with murder and membership of a proscribed organisation.

Two other men appeared in court today in relation to the killing of Ulster Defence Association member Tommy English in October 2000.

Mr English, 40, who was gunned down in his north Belfast home, was one of several to die in a feud with the rival Ulster Volunteer Force.

Samuel Higgins, 32, of the Meadow, and Philip Laffin, 31, from Bridge Street, both in Antrim, appeared at Belfast Magistrates court this morning charged with murder.

Higgins was also charged with hijacking, false imprisonment and membership of a proscribed organisation. The pair were remanded in custody.

Senior UVF leader and alleged police informant Mark Haddock was one of two men also charged with the murder earlier this month.

Meanwhile, two other men – brothers David Stewart, 38, and Robert Stewart, 34, both of Newtownabbey – have pleaded guilty to aiding and abetting the killing.

The two men charged tonight, who will appear at Laganside Magistrates court in Belfast tomorrow, were arrested by officers from the police’s Historical Enquiries Team (HET).

The HET is a specialised team set up to investigate unsolved murders during the Troubles.