The case against a top loyalist charged with murdering a rival is based on the evidence of two brothers who have already admitted involvement in the killing, a court heard today.
Mark Haddock (40), appeared in Belfast Magistrates Court this morning to face the charge of murdering Ulster Defence Association member Tommy English.
Haddock was also charged with membership of the Ulster Volunteer Force.
An investigating officer told the court that evidence provided by brothers David Stewart (38), and Robert Stewart (34), from Newtownabbey, implicated Haddock and a number of others in the murder in October 2000.
The Stewart brothers were originally charged with the murder but last month pleaded guilty to the lesser charge of aiding and abetting the killing.
Mr English (40), was shot dead in front of his wife and children in his north Belfast home. He was one of a number of loyalist paramilitaries killed during a bloody feud between the UDA and UVF.
The investigating officer confirmed that the case against Haddock was at this stage based entirely on evidence provided by the brothers. While a defence lawyer claimed that the brothers had also named up to ten other suspects, the officer would not confirm that figure.
“I’m not aware of numbers but there were quite a few,” he said.
Haddock, sporting a grey beard and jumper, waved and smiled at relatives in the public gallery as he appeared in the dock. He spoke only to confirm that he understood the charges against him.
He is currently in custody in relation to a separate conviction and is set to appear again via video link from Maghaberry Prison next week.
PA