Verdict deferred after court fracas

A judge deferred his verdict in a murder trial yesterday after fighting broke out outside the court.

A judge deferred his verdict in a murder trial yesterday after fighting broke out outside the court.

Mr Justice Higgins told Belfast Crown Court he would not deliver a judgment in the case of a brother and sister accused of involvement in the murder of a leading loyalist.

Jim Johnston, a member of the loyalist paramilitary Red Hand Commando, was shot outside his home in Crawfordsburn, Co Down, in May 2003.

Mr Justice Higgins said: "I am deferring giving judgment on this case today. The parties will be informed when the case will next sit."

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The judge did not specify why he had taken the decision, but it came 90 minutes after the victim's family and supporters of the accused clashed outside the courtroom.

Punches were thrown, and police reinforcements were called in after an attempt to throw one person over a balcony on the fourth floor.

A number of people were injured in the fighting before police managed to separate the two factions and escort them outside the court building at Laganside.

No date has been fixed for the new hearing.

Robert Young (41), from Ulsterville Park in Portadown, denies murdering Mr Johnston. His sister, Lorraine (39), from Holywood, denies providing him with a false alibi.

A second woman, Susan Ferguson (36), from Holywood, denies three counts of possessing firearms.

Mr Young was remanded in custody but the two women were granted bail.

About 40 police officers stood outside the court afterwards to prevent any further trouble from flaring.