Verdict expected in Haddock trial

A judge is today due to deliver his verdict in the murder trial of loyalist leader Mark Haddock and alleged members of his paramilitary gang.

North Belfast Ulster Volunteer Force chief Haddock is one of 13 men accused of a litany of terrorist offences, including the shooting of loyalist rival Tommy English 12 years ago.

English, 40, was gunned down in his house in Newtownabbey, Co Antrim in front of his wife and three young children on Halloween night in 2000 during a bloody feud between the UVF and the Ulster Defence Association (UDA).

The prosecution case against the men in the five month trial at Belfast Crown Court was based exclusively on the testimony of two brothers and self confessed UVF members who turned state’s evidence in return for significantly reduced jail terms.

Window cleaners Robert and Ian Stewart alleged that Haddock and eight of his co-accused were involved in the murder.

Four others stand accused of lesser offences including assisting offenders, perverting the course of justice, and meting out paramilitary beatings.

A 14th man accused walked free from court last month after judge Mr Justice John Gillen, who is sitting without a jury, ruled that he had no case to answer.

The so-called “supergrass” trial has been controversial, with supporters of the accused likening the case to high profile trials in the 1980s, which saw both loyalist and republican paramilitaries jailed on the evidence of former colleagues who turned state’s evidence.

Sitting for 21 weeks, the trial of Haddock and his co-accused was one of the longest in the North's legal history and is set to be one of the most expensive.

Justice Gillen will deliver his judgment after taking three weeks to review the evidence.