An alleged former UVF chief accused of murdering a rival loyalist paramilitary boss ten years ago has been released on bail.
In granting bail to 34-year-old Alexander Thomas Wood, Belfast Crown Court judge Mr Justice McLaughlin barred him from the Ballyduff, Mount Vernon and New Mossley areas and from speaking to his 13 co-accused or potential witnesses in the mammoth case.
Wood, from Milewater Way in Newtownabbey, faces a total of 13 charges including the murder of UDA chief Tommy English in October 2000, being a member of the UVF, possessing guns and involvement in numerous 'punishment attacks' on various dates between October 1994 and October 2001.
All 14 defendants are to be arraigned on all charges this coming Friday after two brothers, 35-year-old David Ian Stewart and his older brother Robert Ian Stewart, 39, both from Newtownabbey, turned 'supergrass,' identified others allegedly involved and admitted their involvement in the murder and a whole series of other paramilitary activities.
They were jailed for life earlier this year with a judge giving them "substantial discount" for their admissions, handing down minimum three year jail terms.
On Wednesday a prosecuting lawyer said that according to the brothers Wood was the commander of the New Mossley UVF, was involved in planning the murder of Tommy English and was one of two gunmen who carried out the actual killing.
The 40-year-old UDA chief was gunned down in front of his wife in their Ballyduff home on 31 October 2000 during a bloody UVF - UDA feud which claimed seven lives.
The lawyer told the court there were also allegations from Robert Stewart that Wood "effectively introduced" him into the UVF in the mid-90's as he was the "commanding officer" of the New Mossley UVF at the time.
"It's his central role in the whole picture which is the foundation of the Crown objections," he said.
Defence QC Arthur Harvey argued that two grounds for refusing bail - fear of further offences and witness intimidation - did not apply as Wood had a clear criminal record and had not been involved in any allegations since 2001, in contrast to the Stewart brothers who continued to involve themselves in crime until 2007.
He further submitted it was "highly improbable to the highest degree that any influence can be brought to bear" on the two main Crown witnesses.
The lawyer said other co-accused had been released on bail and there was nothing which would "distinguish him from the others".
Mr Justice McLaughlin said he had refused granting bail in the past because the allegations were that a "series of acts were carried out through a conspiracy" and so there was an organisation in the background to potentially interfere with witnesses.
He added however that "things have changed" in the last 18 months including the Stewart brothers pleading guilty and being sentenced, all the defendants being sent for trial after a Preliminary Enquiry and other co-accused being released on bail.
The judge said that "putting all the factors into the melting pot," he was satisfied Wood could be granted bail on his own bail of £2,000 with two sureties of £2,000 each, daily reporting to police and a curfew from 10pm to 8am.
© UTV News