A policeman was charged yesterday in connection with an explosion in which the teenage son of a crippled loyalist lost a hand.
Mr Edward Charles Horner (51), a reserve constable in the PSNI, was accused of attempting to pervert justice by removing copper piping from the scene of the explosion at Carrickfergus, Co Antrim.
Mr Drew Peden (16) was in the garage at his home at Garron Heights when the blast happened last August.
Mr Horner, who has been suspended from duty, appeared at Belfast Magistrates Court and was remanded on bail until November 26th. His address was given as c/o PSNI, Carrickfergus.
Drew Peden's father, Andrew (38), lost both legs after being shot by loyalist paramilitaries in Belfast in May 1998.
