LOYALIST LEADER and one-time RUC informer Mark Haddock appeared in a Belfast court yesterday charged with the murder of a man in 1997.
The UVF figure, already being held in connection with another murder, stood before Belfast Magistrates Court charged with the murder of John Harbinson who was beaten to death 12 years ago. He is also serving a 10-year sentence for attacking another man.
Haddock (40) was arrested by detectives from the Historical Enquiries Team (HET) which is tasked with investigating thousands of unsolved murders from the Troubles. He is also accused of the murder of an Ulster Defence Association (UDA) leader Tommy English, who died during a feud, as well as the attempted murder of another man in 1996.
Haddock denies the latest charge.
Det Insp David Lowans told the court he believed he could connect the accused with the charge, but would not be offering forensic evidence.
Haddock was a member of a UVF gang based in north Belfast which was cited by former police ombudsman Nuala O’Loan in her investigation into allegations by Raymond McCord that members of the RUC had tried to protect Haddock as he was a Special Branch informer.
Mr McCord, whose son Raymond jnr was murdered by the UVF, believes no-one was arrested in his son’s case as officers wanted to protect their source.
Haddock is to appear again before the court by video link on August 6th.
Stephen Hobbs of the HET said afterwards: “This is a positive step forward in what is a large and complex investigation.
“To date, 16 people have been arrested, 12 have been charged and four reported to the Public Prosecution Service.
“The HET’s commitment to the families is as strong as ever and we will do everything possible to find the truth for families around how their loved ones have died.
“If this means bringing people to court, then so be it. That is exactly what we will do.”