Two Co Tyrone men pleaded guilty yesterday to the manslaughter of a Cookstown man who died in his flat after being beaten and stabbed in the throat with a poker by three intruders.
Robert Stewart (39) and George Watterson (31), both of Stewart Avenue, Cookstown, had been on trial at Belfast Crown Court for aiding and abetting the murder of George Scott, but yesterday the prosecution accepted their plea of guilty to manslaughter.
Three other Cookstown men are on trial for the murder of Mr Scott (31) on September 22nd, 1996. They are Mr Rodger Crooks (24), of McKinney Park and brothers Mr Gary McGuckin (31) and Mr Mark McGuckin (36), both of Milburn Close.
The two who pleaded guilty were remanded in custody until the end of the hearing, which continues on Monday.