Published Friday, 05 March 2010
Brothers Ian and Robert Stewart were given the substantially reduced minimum tariff of three years as a 'reward' for admitting a "veritable litany of crimes" and for giving a written undertaking to give evidence against their former loyalist associates.
Sentencing the brothers, Belfast Crown Court judge Mr Justice Hart revealed that ten others already face prosecution for the "premeditated, carefully planned terrorist execution" of Tommy English, while six others faces related charges and that still more may face arrest.
The judge said that the actual gunmen who shot Mr English in front of his wife and family in October 2000 could expect minimum sentences of 25 years.
Mr Justice Hart however also warned Ian Stewart, 36, of Carntall Rise, and his 39-year-old brother Robert from Ballyearl Court, also in Newtownabbey, that if they failed to live up to their agreement under the Serious Organised Crime and Police Act of 2005, they would face re-sentence, which could see them serving the minimum of 22 years.
The judge said the action of the brothers "represents the most compelling and potent evidence of their remorse for their crimes".
Their sentence of three years for aiding and abetting the murder by providing the gunmen's transport, are to run from August 2008 when they first pleaded guilty to them in court, which could see them being freed on parole in August 2011.
Afterwards speaking outside the court, David English said the family were "happy enough" with the sentences handed down to the Stewart brothers and thanked the Historical Enquiries Team for their handling of the case.
Tommy English's wife Doreen said she was also "content" with the sentences "on the basis that we will get the real perpetrators of my husband's murder and hopefully, 25-year life sentences."
"It will be worth it in the long run," said Mrs English.